As my husband and I were riding around on our Harley one day early this spring, I noticed that a nearby community has these gorgeous flowers planted along the roadways. Knowing that most communities plant low-water and low-maintenance shrubs and flowers in southern California, I was curious about this multi-colored prolifically blooming little flower. After some research, I discovered it's a perennial here, but as it's not frost hardy, would be an annual in other parts of the country.
Gazanias are tidy plants with daisy-like flowers that rise about 8 inches, and come in many colors from yellow to orange to red and even pink and bronze. They love full sun, and will even close up on a cloudy day, or when the plant is in shadow. The plants are common at garden centers, but you can also start them from seed or cuttings. They are best in the front of your garden as a ground cover. Give them fertile, well-draining soil and they benefit from organic fertilizer every few weeks during the long blooming season. If you want a touch of cheery, colorful happiness, plant gazanias!
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