Brachycome Multifida Swan River Daisy Flower
SWAN RIVER DAISY
This newcomer rapidly conquered the world of containers and hanging baskets. No wonder, because it has everything going for it: beautifully divided leaves and, above them, white, yellow, or lavender-pink to blue flowers which are borne non-stop throughout the summer. The foliage tumbles over the rims of pots, containers, and hanging baskets. Because of its dense growth, it is advisable to combine this brachycome with other species in the same container. It grows trouble-free in sunlight and better still in partial shade, either in a border or in a pot. If you are growing it in a pot, make sure the soil never dries out completely, as the leaves will turn yellow otherwise.
Brachycome multifida comes from southeastern Australia and is grown from cuttings on a massive scale by commercial enterprises. The process of growing saleable plants from cuttings takes about eight weeks. Selections are marketed according to flower color: Brachycome multifida ‘Blue’; Brachycome multifida ‘Harmony,’ and Brachycome multifida ‘Royal’ are called ‘blue-flowered,’ but you may be assured that they will include a fair amount of pink; Brachycome multifida ‘Pink Mist’ has pale-pink flowers; and those of Brachycome multifida ‘Yellow’ are pale yellow. The latter plant is less bushy.
Australia is the home to many colourful daisies, both annual and perennial. Brachycome multifida, the Cut-leaf Daisy, is a hardy perennial. The Cut-leaf Daisy develops into a dense, ground covering mound reaching a height of 30 centimetres (12 inches) with a diameter of one metre (three feet). In spring and summer plants are covered with mauve-pink flowers. Another less vigorous form is known as Break o? Day with purple flowers. We also have a form with mauve flowers which age to white. A pure white form is found in granite country, west of Armidale. Propagation from cuttings could not be simpler. We often prepare cuttings about 15 centimetres long (6 inches) and place one with other plants when establishing new gardens. We count on about 50% of these pieces taking root. Brachycome multifida is small enough to cultivate in most gardens and will make an impact out of all proportion to its size. We are very fond of this daisy and are always on the lookout for different flower colours.
