Argyranthemum frutescens aka Marguerite

Argyranthemum frutescens is a strongly branched, globose-bushy evergreen subshrub that typically reaches 2–3 feet (about 60–90 cm) in both height and width, though Wikipedia documents a wider 20–80 cm range depending on conditions and cultivar. It establishes its mature size within a single growing season when treated as a tender perennial or summer container plant. Pinching young growth and deadheading spent flowers keeps the plant compact and floriferous.

Argyranthemum frutescens is native to the Canary Islands, an archipelago of Spain off the northwest coast of Africa, where it occurs on El Hierro, La Gomera, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and rarely on La Palma. The genus Argyranthemum as a whole is endemic to Macaronesia (Canary Islands, Savage Islands, and Madeira). Outside its native range it is widely cultivated as an ornamental and is recorded as a non-native naturalized species in places such as California.

Marguerite daisy is a tender, half-hardy plant that thrives in mild, frost-free climates and is reliably perennial only in USDA hardiness zones 10–11. It tolerates cool temperatures but cannot survive freezing, so in colder regions it is grown as a summer annual or moved indoors and overwintered from cuttings. Plant outdoors only after all danger of frost has passed.

In USDA zones 10–11 the marguerite daisy can be treated as an evergreen perennial, but in cooler climates (such as the St. Louis area) it is grown as a summer annual planted out after the last frost. To carry plants through the winter, cuttings can be taken from prized specimens in late summer and overwintered indoors. Regular deadheading throughout the bloom season keeps the plant flowering until cool weather arrives.

The flowers of Argyranthemum frutescens are described as very fragrant, contributing to its appeal as a container and border plant alongside its abundant summer bloom.

Marguerite daisy produces prolific, classic daisy-like blooms about 2.5 inches across, available in single or double forms. Cultivars come in shades of white, pink, yellow, and purple, and the flowers open their petals in the morning and close them at night. Bloom continues throughout the summer when plants are deadheaded regularly.

Argyranthemum frutescens is the most widely cultivated species in the genus and is the parent of many modern hybrid cultivars, often involving related Argyranthemum species. Cultivar selections come in white, pink, yellow, and purple shades with both single and double-flowered forms. The subspecies canariae has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Marguerite daisy is easily grown outdoors in average, medium-moisture, well-drained soil in full sun. Plants should be set out after all danger of frost has passed and benefit from soil rich in organic matter. They suit beds, borders, and large containers, and reward regular deadheading with continuous summer flowering.

Routine maintenance consists of deadheading spent flowers to encourage additional bloom throughout the summer. Plants can also be pinched back when young to maintain a compact, bushy habit.

Argyranthemum frutescens can be propagated from seed, but stem cuttings are the most common and reliable method, especially for preserving named cultivars. Cuttings taken in late summer can be rooted and overwintered indoors to carry the plant into the next season.

Missouri Botanical Garden reports no serious insect or disease problems for Argyranthemum frutescens. The most distinctive pest association on record is the leaf-mining larva of the moth Bucculatrix chrysanthemella, for which A. frutescens serves as a food plant.