Eye-Catching Osteospermums with Yellow and Purple Centers for Your Garden

January 20, 2025 by Simply Bloom

African daisies (Osteospermum spp. ) look a lot like common daisies, with petals radiating around a center disk. They are even members of the Asteraceae family, along with Shasta daisies and zinnias.

But, their vivid coloring is not at all like the classic daisy. African daisies come in a variety of stunning shades including white, cream, pink, yellow, purple, and blue.

It’s best to plant these flowers in the spring, after the risk of frost has passed, when the temperature is still around 25 degrees Fahrenheit. While African daisies can survive a surprise frost, they cannot tolerate repeated frosts.

African daisies have a fairly quick growth rate, blooming about two months after sprouting from seeds. Reliably hardy in zones 10 to 11, these tender perennials are planted as annuals in other climate zones. On average, African daises live 2 to 3 years as perennials.

Osteospermums, also known as African daisies, are a relatively new addition to many gardens that provide a pop of color with their bright, daisy-like blooms One of the most striking osteospermum varieties is those with yellow petals and purple centers The contrast between the golden yellow petals and vivid purple centers makes these flowers truly eye-catching.

Osteospermums belong to the Asteraceae family and are native to Africa, hence their common name African daisies. There are over 50 species of osteospermums, most native to South Africa. These perennials are hardy only in tropical climates, so they are frequently grown as annuals in temperate regions.

Osteospermums were first introduced as ornamental garden plants in the early 1990s. At first, only a few colors like white and peach were available But thanks to plant breeders, many more colors like pink, purple, yellow, and bicolors emerged

One of the most popular osteospermum varieties has yellow petals with vivid purple centers, This striking contrast makes them truly stand out in the garden

Growing Osteospermums with Yellow and Purple Centers

Osteospermums prefer full sun exposure and well-drained soil. They thrive when given an average amount of water. Too much moisture can cause root rot. These plants are drought tolerant once established.

Plant osteospermums after the last spring frost when soil and air temperatures have warmed. Space plants 12-18 inches apart to allow for growth and air circulation.

Fertilize osteospermums regularly with a balanced flower fertilizer to encourage blooming. Prune spent blooms to promote new flowers.

Caring for Osteospermums

Here are some tips for caring for osteospermums to keep them looking their best:

Sun: Osteospermums thrive in full sun, with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Morning sun is ideal.
Soil: Well-drained soil is crucial. Adding compost improves drainage.
Water: Allow soil to dry out between waterings. Avoid overwatering.

Fertilizer: Apply a balanced flower fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during spring and summer.
Pruning: Deadhead spent blooms to encourage new flowers.
Pests: Watch for aphids, slugs, snails. Avoid spraying insecticides which can damage flowers. Hand pick pests instead.

Popular Yellow and Purple Osteospermum Varieties

Here are some top osteospermum varieties with yellow flowers and vivid purple centers:

‘Margarita’: One of the most popular varieties, with bright yellow 2-3 inch blooms. Grows 12-18 inches tall.

‘Sideshow Copper Apricot’: Apricot-orange 2 inch flowers with dark centers. Grows 12 inches tall.
‘Zion Sun Yellow’: Abundant yellow 2-inch blooms from spring to fall. Grows 12 inches tall.
‘Sunscape Daisy’: Prolific yellow and purple 3-inch blooms. Grows 14-16 inches tall.

‘Soprano Vanilla Spoon’: Elegant white blooms with purple centers. Grows 24 inches tall.
‘Serenity Lavender Frost’: White petals with lavender-purple centers. Grows 14 inches tall.

Companion Plants for Osteospermums

Here are some great companion plants for osteospermums:

Snapdragon – Available in many colors, add height and structure.
Dianthus – Low-growing flowers in pink, red, white.

Verbena – Trailing purple, pink, red blooms.
Dusty miller – Silver-gray foliage contrasts nicely.
Lavender – Complementary blue-purple flowers.

Designing With Yellow and Purple Osteospermums

Osteospermums make great additions to flower beds, borders, containers and hanging baskets. Combine them with cool-season annuals like pansies and violas. Or use them solely in mono-color plantings for high impact.

Plant en masse for a dazzling display. Or plant them sporadically throughout garden beds. Use them as edging plants along walkways or borders.

For containers, pair the yellow and purple osteospermums with blue or purple flowers like lobelia. The contrast of colors will make the osteospermums truly pop.

With their vivid colors and profuse blooms, osteospermums with yellow petals and purple centers are sure to be a stunning addition to your garden. Their low-maintenance and drought tolerance make them an easy way to add eye-catching color.

Types of African Daisy

There are dozens of African daisy species and varieties, including:

Osteospermum Passion Mix: This small plant grows to about a foot tall and has blue centers in all of its different colors (pink, purple, rose, and white). It’s easy to grow this type from seeds, and it can handle lots of heat.
The Osteospermum 4D flower has a fluffy, tufted center, and it stays open all day, even when it’s hot outside. The plants grow up to 14 inches tall.
Osteospermum FlowerPower Spider White: These flowers have strange, spoon-shaped petals that are white and lavender and have a gold center. The plants grow roughly 14 inches tall.

Osteospermum Lemon Symphony: The petals of this plant are butter-yellow with a purple center and an orange eye. This variety grows about 14 inches tall.
Osteospermum Pink Sugar has orange and pink petals that meet in the middle. This variety grows about 10 inches tall.
Osteospermum Ravers Hearts and Tarts: This type has flowers that are orange and pink, and it grows to be about 12 inches tall.

Osteospermum Sideshow Copper Apricot: This type has beautiful pale apricot flowers with a purple disk in the middle. It grows up to 12 inches tall.
Osteospermum Soprano White: This plant has white flowers with a blue center and purple and yellow edges. It grows up to 14 inches tall.

Planting and Soil

African daisies prefer organically rich soil with sharp drainage and a slightly acidic soil pH. When you plant, add compost or other organic matter to the soil to help it drain better and give plants more nutrients.

Give them at least 12 inches of space between each plant so they can spread. Some types can get up to 12 inches wide. African daisies can be planted in the springtime, after the last frost.

African Daisy/ Osteospermum/ Dimorphotheca Flower. How to Grow Dimorphotheca & Osteospermum Flowers.

FAQ

Is Osteospermum purple a perennial or annual?

Hardiness: Osteospermum is a tender perennial in USDA hardiness zones 10-11, but it is often grown as an annual in cooler climates. Uses: Osteospermum is commonly used as a bedding plant, in borders, rock gardens, containers, and hanging baskets.

Does Osteospermum like full sun or shade?

Sunlight: Plant Osteospermum in a location that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. They thrive in full sun but can tolerate light shade. However, too much shade may reduce flowering. Soil: African Daisies prefer well-draining soil.

How do you care for purple Osteospermum?

Add a balanced fertilizer to the soil in spring before planting osteospermum, and apply a liquid fertilizer every two weeks during the summer. Fertilizing your plants regularly and removing any spent blooms keeps osteospermums blooming and looking their best.

What is the yellow flower in Osteospermum?

Osteospermum is commonly known as the African daisy. Bred by Ball Seed the vigorous variety Voltage Yellow has a vibrant yellow daisy with a dark yellow eye. It is commonly used in mass planting or as an edging crop in the garden, and in hanging baskets and planters on the patio.

What color are Osteospermum flowers?

After plant breeders got to work, new hues of flowers started appearing, such as pink, purple, and bicolor. Osteospermums are most often grown as cool-season annuals. Some varieties are hardy to Zones 10-11 but won’t survive very cold temperatures.

How tall does Osteospermum ‘yellow Symphony’ grow?

Osteospermum ‘Yellow Symphony’ bears golden-yellow flowers with purple centers on drought-tolerant, 14-inch-tall plants. Zones 9-11 Osteospermum ‘Zion Plum’ is a strong-growing selection with blue-purple flowers in spring and fall. It grows 12 inches tall. Zones 9-11

What does Osteospermum 4d silver look like?

The Osteospermum 4D silver has bright white petals that have an almost silver tint to them. The centers on these flowers are a lavender purple which contrasts nicely against the white petals. The flower heads on this variety are also said to be bushier than other varieties of the African daisy.

Which Osteospermum has orange flowers?

Zones 9-11 Osteospermum ‘Sunny Dark Florence’ bears orange flowers on a 12-inch-tall plant. Zones 9-11 Osteospermum ‘Yellow Symphony’ bears golden-yellow flowers with purple centers on drought-tolerant, 14-inch-tall plants.

What zone does Osteospermum ‘yellow Symphony’ grow in?

Zones 9-11 Osteospermum ‘Yellow Symphony’ bears golden-yellow flowers with purple centers on drought-tolerant, 14-inch-tall plants. Zones 9-11

Do Osteospermum flowers close at night?

While most varieties of osteospermum close their flowers during the night, the 4D variety remains open throughout the day and night and only closes once the flowers die. The lemon symphony variety has bright yellow flower petals that surround a deep purple center, adding to the contrast effect of these flowers.

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