Have you tried osteospermum in your gardens?

image from greenhousegrower.com 

Cloudy day in Dougherty, but mild temperatures, and very little wind.  High today of 43F(6C) mild temperatures all week, storms on Friday.  ENJOY, stay warm, stay safe.
 
Australia family and friends for March 4, Wed will have 77F(25C)  One of the friends wrote “ We had lovely rain.  Nice soaking rain.  Up in central Australia they are having floods.  I feel for the farmers who have lost cattle and infrastructure.  Place people whose houses have been inundated with flood water.”  Stay safe
 
I grew these for the first time last year.  They were good sellers, so added another variety to the plant list.  Do you plant these?  If not give them a try, I think they bloom regularly and if you like that daisy like flower this is your plant. 
 
 
How to Grow and Care for Osteospermum
Also called African daisy, this tender perennial is often grown as an annual for its beautiful spring and fall blooms.  By Lynn McAlpine 
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Osteospermum is a relatively recent addition to the gardening world and has only been available in the trade since the early 1990s. With their cheerful, daisy-like blossoms, osteospermums were an instant hit. They create a lively display when planted on their own or with other cool-season plants, such as pansies.
When osteospermums were first introduced, they were available in only a few colors, primarily white and peach. Despite a limited color selection, their bright blue-purple centers made them a popular garden choice. After plant breeders got to work, new hues of flowers started appearing, including pink, purple, and bicolor.
Where to Plant Osteospermum
Osteospermums typically thrive as cool-season annuals. Some types can withstand Zones 9-11, though they aren't able to endure cold weather. During hot summer months, these plants may pause their blooming and resume once cooler nights arrive in the fall. In colder regions, you can relocate them to a sheltered spot for the winter.  Consider planting trailing or compact osteospermums in hanging baskets or container gardens. Their trailing forms also serve well as groundcovers. Pair osteospermums with lavender and Russian sage for a stunning display. These plants share similar soil and water needs and look striking alongside ornamental grasses like blue fescue.
How and When to Plant Osteospermum
To plant osteospermum in your garden, wait until mid- to late spring, after the last expected frost in your area. Dig a hole slightly larger than the plant's root ball. Place the plant in the hole, then cover it with a mix of organic matter and soil. Water thoroughly when you first plant it. Space the plants about 12 inches apart to give them room to grow.
Light
Osteospermums do best full sunlight. The more sun they receive, the more vibrant and plentiful their blooms will be.
Soil and Water
Osteospermum prefer soil that is both well-drained and evenly moist. Soil that is too wet can harm or even kill them. Once established, these plants are somewhat drought-tolerant.
Temperature and Humidity
Though osteospermums are tender perennials, they are often grown as annuals in USDA Zone 8 and below. They can handle temperatures in the high 30s but won't survive freezing conditions. Indoors, they thrive in normal household temperatures and moderate humidity around 60 percent. Consider using a plant humidifier if your home's air is drier.
Fertilizer
Apply a balanced fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio near 10-10-10 to the soil in the spring before planting osteospermums. During the summer, supplement with liquid fertilizer every two weeks. Regular fertilization and removing spent blooms will help your osteospermums look their best.
Pruning
Lightly prune the entire osteospermum plant in early spring or late fall to promote bushy growth. Regularly deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms.
Potting and Repotting Osteospermum
Choose a container slightly larger than needed, ensuring it has a drainage hole, and fill it with well-draining potting soil. Place it in a sunny location and keep the soil evenly moist. You can move the container outdoors to a balcony or patio but bring it inside in the autumn before the first frost to overwinter. Osteospermum typically lives for only two to three years, so repotting might not be necessary.
Taken from https://www.bhg.com/gardening/plant-dictionary/annual/osteospermum/
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365  Beckysgreenhouse.com  Facebook Becky Kerndt Litterer or Becky’s Greenhouse