Osteospermum aka Daisybush

Osteospermum, also known as daisybushes or African daisies, is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the Calenduleae tribe in the Asteraceae family. Formerly part of the genus Dimorphotheca, only the annual species remain in that genus, while the perennials are now classified under Osteospermum. This genus is closely related to Chrysanthemoides, including species like C. incana and C. monilifera. These compact, mat-forming, half-hardy, evergreen perennials reach a height of up to 25cm. They have green, linear to lance-shaped leaves, sometimes with toothed edges. From early summer to autumn, they produce daisy-like flower heads. These flowers have outer petals that are whitish pink and pink-veined, with a deep purple center. The composite flower resembles a daisy and is made up of disc florets and ray florets. It can grow singly at the end of branches or in inflorescences of terminal corymbose cymes. The disc florets, which are pseudo-bisexual, come in various colors such as blue, yellow, and purple. Typically, the hardy types have a dark blue center in the disc that turns yellow as the pollen is shed. The ray florets, on the other hand, are female and display a range of colors including white, cream, pink, purple, mauve, and yellow. Some cultivars even have "spooned" petals, like the variety "Pink Whirls". Certain species can flower a second time in late summer, particularly when exposed to cooler night temperatures. Although hardy types exhibit profuse flowering in the spring, they do not typically produce a second flush of flowers.