Gazania 'Sun Gold'

Frost Tolerance: Hardy to 15°F (-10°C)

Heat Tolerance: Good, but does better with late afternoon shade, water once a week at least in summer in Phoenix

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Origin: South Africa

Growth Habits: Perennial, up to 8 inches tall (20 cm), 10 inches wide clumps (25 cm)

Watering Needs: Occasional summer watering

Propagation: Cuttings in late summer, clump division

Gazanias are very commonly used as annuals. In Phoenix, they overwinter well if not kept wet. Keep them in light sandy soil, water them occasionally once established, and fertilize them twice a year. If you shear the flowers every month or so to get rid of spent flowers, it is a pleasant and effortless ground cover.

Blooming Habits:
The 2-4 inch yellow flowers have 8 to 10 inches long stems. They are more numerous in late spring, and fall. They close at night and during cloudy weather, so they are not usable as cut flowers. Although they seem to come in greater quantity in spring, they are there year around.