The Mexican Fleabane or Spanish daisy is a flowering perennial that can be planted in many places in the garden.
Spanish daisies (Erigeron kravinskianus) are perfect for anyone who loves daisies but would like to have them bloom more luxuriantly in the garden. Unlike traditional daisies, it grows in dense perennials that can even be planted as ground cover. In addition, the Spanish daisy has an original play of colors of white and pink, which brings a unique floral magic to the garden.
Compared to the true daisy, the Spanish daisy grows relatively tall at 30 to 100 cm. The growth width is similarly expansive, which means that whole carpets of daisies can be created in the bed. Erigeron karvinskianus is therefore a ground cover, which makes it very versatile in the garden.
In addition, the flowers of the Spanish daisy are highly decorative. They differ from the actual daisy in that they form significantly more petals (approx. 45 to 60 on one flower). In addition, the flower color changes over the course of the flowering period from white to pink to purple. This creates a colorful play of colors in the bed, which further supports the ornamental value of the delicate flowers.
Spanish daisies in the garden
Even if the name of the Spanish daisy suggests otherwise, it does not originally come from Spain, but from Mexico and South America. Because the exotic daisy also belongs to the genus of fleabane, the nickname Mexican fleabane would actually be more correct. Augustin-Pyrame de Candolle, the first to describe the Spanish daisy, honored the Hungarian-German botanist Friedrich von Karwinsky von Karwin with the suffix "karvinskianus". In the 19th century he was considered one of the most important collectors of Mexican plants and brought numerous specimens such as agaves and cacti to Europe.
The Mexican or Karwinsky fleabane also became a popular ornamental plant in European gardens during this time. A special plant community called Erigeronetum soon developedkarvinskiani, in which Spanish daisy prefers with plants like
- Yellow Larkspur
- Gold lacquer
- Great Snapdragon
- Capers
- Red Spurflower
- and cinnamon herb
- Rock Garden
- Mediterranean Garden
- Prairie Garden
- Rock Garden
- and steppe garden.
Fun facts:
The word "fleabane" derives from calling or yelling at a plant in a magical sense. As a result, professional herbs such as the Spanish daisy used to be used as magic plants, which were used in supposed curses and curses in the form of illnesses for washing and cleaning.
Spanish daisy - location and planting
Due to its origin, the Spanish daisy prefers sunny and dry to fresh locations. The ideal site substrate is rich in nutrients, well drained and sandy-loamy to gravelly-loamy. The winter hardiness of Erigeron karvinskianus is relatively good with a frost resistance down to -18 °C. However, the plant should still be protected. This is especially true during the winter months, when it is imperative to protect the roots of the Spanish daisy from icy meltwater.
Good planting partners for the Spanish daisy are above all other drought-loving plants in addition to the examples already mentioned from the Erigeronetum karvinskiani plant community. These include, for example, classic rock garden and Mediterranean plants such as lavender or sage. And also bluebells, dewdrop grass or germander fit nicely in a plant combination with Erigeron karvinskianus.
➔ Plant Spanish daisies in 3 steps
1. Step:
It is best to plant Spanish daisies in late spring, after the ice saints. A planting date in May when there is no threat of late frost is therefore ideal.
2. Step:
To optimize soil shouldthe site substrate for the Spanish daisy must be loosened up well in advance and freed from soil obstacles. Then you can enrich the substrate with sand and/or gravel, as well as a light basic fertilization of compost. Drainage in the root area also ensures good water drainage.
3. Step:
Depending on how densely you want to spread the Spanish daisy plant carpet in the bed or on a wall, the suitable planting distance is 30 cm or more. Group plantings of approx. 10 plants per m² are particularly attractive.
Spanish daisies - water and fertilize
Spanish daisies prefer to be too dry than too moist. It is therefore best to water moderately but regularly. In winter, the water supply must then urgently be reduced to avoid waterlogging and excessive ground frost.
Erigeron karvinskiana likes regular fertilizer applications. It is best to use compost or complete fertilizer for this and give it to the plant every 2 weeks, especially during the flowering period from May to September. The fertilization is then slowly reduced towards August. Finally, from September, the nutrient supply must be stopped completely so that the plant can prepare for the winter.
Spanish daisies - cut and propagate
A summer pruning can stimulate a second bloom on the Spanish daisy. Therefore, continuously cut off wilted inflorescences. If you overwinter the plant, you should also cut back the perennial by about two thirds in spring.
➔ Propagation by self-seeding
Spanish daisies are a maximum of two years old. Therefore, it has to be applied to the garden again and again. The plant often does this itself, because it forms numerous achenes after flowering. They settle incredibly quickly in joints and cracks in the wall. If you want to prevent this, you should cut out the infructescence early.
➔ Propagation by controlled sowing
For controlled propagation of the Spanish daisy, you can collect the seeds from the plant after the fruit has ripened and grow them indoors in a protected place in January. Since the Mexican fleabane needs light to germinate, you may only cover the seed lightly with soil. Then keep the propagation warm and moist. Planting outdoors is then possible as usual from May.
Wintering Spanish Daisy
A light winter protection makes sense for the Mexican Fleabane. You can use some brushwood for thisor spread leaves in the root area. This protects the plant from melt water and ground frost. Potted cultures may require additional insulation with garden fleece. You should also place the pot on wooden blocks to prevent the cold ground from entering the container from below.
Diseases and Pests
In general, Erigeron kravinskianus is extremely resistant to damage. However, waterlogging can quickly lead to root rot. Therefore, water with care and always check whether the topsoil has dried sufficiently before watering again.