Grow Vibrant Gazania Big Kiss Yellow Flame Flowers in Your Garden

Gazanias are heat-loving flowering plants that add vivid color to gardens and landscapes. One of the most popular varieties is Gazania Big Kiss Yellow Flame, prized for its bright blooms and easy care. This South African native thrives in hot, dry conditions. Read on to learn all about growing these spectacular flowers yourself.

Overview of Gazania Big Kiss Yellow Flame

Gazania Big Kiss Yellow Flame produces large, showy daisy-like blooms in shades of golden yellow. The petals have dark yellow lower halves and lighter yellow upper halves, creating a bold two-tone effect.

These fast-growing plants reach 6-10 inches tall and 1-2 feet wide They spread into attractive groundcover patches, The lush green leaves are finely textured and remain evergreen in mild winter regions

Big Kiss Yellow Flame gazanias bloom spring through fall where winters stay above freezing. They flower best in full sun and poor, sandy soil Heat, drought, and seaside locations suit them perfectly.

This hybrid gazania variety was bred to be more cold hardy than older types surviving down to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s also resistant to disease. The blooms attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.

How to Plant Gazania Big Kiss Yellow Flame

With proper siting and care, Gazania Big Kiss Yellow Flame will thrive and spread to form a vibrant carpet of color. Follow these tips:

Sunlight: Choose a spot with at least 6 hours of direct sun daily. Afternoon shade is okay. Too much shade results in fewer blooms.

Soil: Gazanias tolerate most soils but prefer sandy, fast-draining types. Improve heavy clay by mixing in compost.

Planting: Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost. Harden off seedlings then transplant them 12″ apart after danger of frost passes. Or plant nursery-grown plants.

Water: Allow soil to dry between waterings. Just 1″ of water weekly is sufficient once established. Overwatering encourages disease.

Fertilizer: Use a balanced flower fertilizer at planting, then monthly through the growing season. Excess nitrogen causes foliar growth instead of blooms.

Hardiness: Gazania Big Kiss Yellow Flame survives winters down to 10°F when planted in well-drained soil. Mulch new plants that first winter for extra protection.

How to Care for Gazania Big Kiss Yellow Flame

Gazanias are one of the easiest flowering plants to grow. Just give them full sun, lean soil, good drainage, and occasional watering. Here are some care tips:

• Deadhead spent flowers to encourage new blooms. Shear back if plants get leggy.

• Divide congested gazania patches in early spring every 2-3 years. Replant divisions 12″ apart.

• Use pine straw or shredded bark mulch to help retain moisture and reduce weeds.

• Avoid wetting foliage, which can cause powdery mildew. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses are best.

• Sprinkle a granular systemic fungicide at planting as a disease preventative if airflow is poor.

• In zones 8-10, gazanias may naturalize and self-seed, forming loose groundcover colonies over time.

With minimal fuss, Gazania Big Kiss Yellow Flame provides vivid flower power through the hottest months!

Common Problems With Gazania Big Kiss Yellow Flame

Gazanias are not prone to many issues, especially when provided with suitable growing conditions. Here are a few potential problems to watch for:

• Powdery mildew – Avoid wetting foliage. Improve airflow. Use fungicides at the first sign.

• Root rot – Plant in fast-draining soil. Allow soil to dry between waterings.

• Leaf spot – Space plants to increase airflow. Apply copper fungicide spray at first symptoms.

• Aphids – Knock pests off with strong spray of water. Use insecticidal soap for heavy infestations.

• Slug damage – Remove weeds/debris they hide under. Put down slug bait. Hand pick at night.

With good cultural practices, you’ll likely enjoy pest and disease-free gazania flowers. Promptly address any issues before they spread.

Tips for Getting the Most Blooms

Gazania Big Kiss Yellow Flame produces the most abundant flowers when happy. Here are some tips:

• Plant in a spot with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.

• Choose fast-draining, sandy soil. Improve drainage in clay soils.

• Allow the soil to dry between waterings. Do not overwater.

• Apply a phosphorus-rich fertilizer monthly to encourage blooms.

• Deadhead spent flowers to promote new blossoms.

• Give plants a hard pruning if they get stretched out and leggy.

• Avoid excess shade, crowding, excess nitrogen, and overwatering for maximum flowers.

Companion Plants for Gazania Big Kiss Yellow Flame

With their sunset-colored blooms, Gazania Big Kiss Yellow Flame partners beautifully with other heat and drought-tolerant plants. Here are some top companion options:

• Lantana – Trailing lantana in yellow and orange shades complement the gazanias.

• Verbena – Low-growing verbenas in yellow, gold, and orange tones accent the flowers.

• Marigolds – Choose single yellow/gold marigolds for a coordinated look.

• Zinnias – Low-growing zinnias in bold warm colors are perfect partners.

• Portulaca – The vivid blooms of moss rose create fabulous contrast.

• Sedum – Upright yellow sedums like Angelina stonecrop pop against the flowers.

Group gazanias with any of these plants for a stunning drought-tolerant garden filled with color.

Design Ideas for Gazania Big Kiss Yellow Flame

With their golden daisy-like blooms, Gazania Big Kiss Yellow Flame brings cheerful color to gardens and landscapes. Here are some ways to showcase these beauties:

• Plant en masse as a vibrant groundcover or border front.

• Use as edging along walkways, borders, and driveways.

• Tuck into rock gardens, stone walls, and gravel mulch.

• Feature in containers and hanging baskets.

• Mix with ornamental grasses for texture.

• Use as bedding plants in garden beds and landscape islands.

• Plant on slopes and hillsides to control erosion.

• Scatter throughout cottage gardens, herb gardens, and cutting gardens.

• Add to pollinator-friendly butterfly gardens.

Let Gazania Big Kiss Yellow Flame spread its sunshine wherever it grows!

Growing Gazania Big Kiss Yellow Flame From Seed

Starting Gazania Big Kiss Yellow Flame from seed is a great way to inexpensively propagate lots of plants. Here’s how:

• Sow seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last expected spring frost. Use a seed starting mix.

• Barely press seeds into the soil surface and do not cover them. Keep the soil slightly moist.

• Germination occurs in 7-14 days at 65-75°F.

• Once seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light. Grow on at 65-70°F.

• Harden off young plants for 7-10 days before transplanting outdoors after danger of frost.

• Space transplants 12″ apart in full sun and well-drained soil once night temperatures stay above 50°F.

• Water transplants regularly the first month to establish an extensive root system.

Starting from seed is an affordable way to kick off your gazania garden! Harvest your own seeds each year to sow again for free.

Where to Buy Gazania Big Kiss Yellow Flame

Gazania Big Kiss Yellow Flame is sold at many garden centers and nurseries as starter plants. You can also purchase seeds through catalogs and online.

Buy from reputable USA growers to ensure you get the genuine variety and healthy, disease-free plants. Be wary of counterfeit seed packets from unknown international sellers.

For the widest selection, check for Gazania Big Kiss Yellow Flame at:

• Local garden centers and nurseries
• Online specialty seed catalogs like Burpee, Park Seed, Gurney’s, etc.
• National hardware store chains with garden centers
• Local garden clubs’ seed exchanges or plant sales
• Farmer’s markets that sell garden starts and plants

With its brilliant golden blooms perfect for hot, sunny spots, Gazania Big Kiss Yellow Flame is sure to become a garden favorite!