Family: Asteraceae

These low-growing Australian annuals and perennials make pretty border, edging or bedding plants and are also useful as groundcover. They have simple or branching stems, finely divided foliage and masses of pretty daisy-like flowers in white, blue or lilac, sometimes solitary, at other times loosely clustered. Of over 60 species, there are few in general cultivation.

Species

B. iberidifolia, Swan River daisy, is a branching, fast-growing annual to about 30 cm (12 in), with lacy green foliage and rose or white daisy-like summer flowers. There are numerous cultivars in various colours including blue, purple, pink and white.

B. multifida is a neat species, with soft, divided foliage and pinkish mauve flowers.

Cultivation

Brachyscome species are generally grown as half-hardy annuals, sown in the spring under glass and planted out when danger of frost is over. They like a sandy soil and dry, sunny conditions.

Climate

Zone 9 and above.