Brachyscome / Swan River Daisies

Growing Guide

With its soft-textured foliage and dainty blossoms, Brachyscome (aka Swan River Daisy) makes a colorful addition to the garden. Depending on the location, swan river daisies, can be grown as annuals or perennials - in the UK we grow them as annuals. When they bloom in summer, the prolific flowers cover the whole plant in blossoms, almost hiding the soft, feathery gray-green foliage.

Sow Bracyscome seed indoors from March to April on the surface of a good quality seed compost, and cover the seeds with a very fine sprinkling of vermiculite, or compost. Place the seed tray in a propagator or seal it inside a polythene bag, keeping the soil damp but not wet until gemination. Do not exclude light as this aids germination. When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant into 9cm pots and grow them on in cooler conditions until large enough to plant outdoors.

When Bracyscome plants are well grown and all risk of frost has passed, acclimatise them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days. Transplant outdoors in full sun in any moist, well drained soil .

Alternatively, direct sow the seeds where they are to flower in May. In a weed free area, sow seed thinly in drills 3mm deep. After germination and when the plants are large enough to handle, thin then to 30cm apart. Water regularly, until the pants are established.

TOP TIP

In a hot dry season plants may exhaust themselves early, but a further sowing in late spring will ensure continuity, especially if potted up at the end of the season.