Mexican daisy - Inland Valley Garden Planner

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Description

The Mexican daisy is a mounding to spreading perennial with delicate foliage character, native to Mexico and south to Venezuela. It grows 15-20 in. high, 2-3 ft. wide; trimming in the winter can manage its size and renew its foliage character. Small flowers first develop white and then age to deep magenta resulting in a mixed color display. These flowers have yellow centers and cover the plant in spring and intermittently throughout the year.

Mexican daisy is a highly popular border and flowering accent plant for small garden spaces in both sun and partial shade. It can be planted as a ground cover, used to line the perimeter of garden beds, planted in pots and behind small retaining walls where it will cascade over edges. It is easy to grow in well-drained soils and moderate amounts of water throughout the year.

Water Needs

The Mexican daisy is well adapted to Inland Empire gardens. It grows best in areas that receive afternoon shade and a regular schedule of summer water. The chart shown below provides a recommended baseline guide to the monthly irrigation schedule and volume of supplemental water needed to maintain healthy growth throughout the average year. It should be noted there are several months indicated by an asterisk (*) when winter rains can provide sufficient moisture and irrigation is not needed. The high and low range of moisture indicates it can grow with varying amounts of water depending upon exposure conditions and temperatures.

Irrigation Schedule and Graph

Moderate Water Use Plants

Irrigation Schedule 4

	Jan*	Feb*	Mar*	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov*	Dec*
Runs per Month	0x to 3x	0x to 3x	0x to 3x	2x to 3x	2x to 3x	3x to 4x	3x to 4x	3x to 4x	2x to 3x	2x to 3x	0x to 3x	0x to 3x
Inches per Run	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"

Inches per Month	0" to 3"	0" to 3"	0" to 3"	2" to 3"	2" to 3"	3" to 4"	3" to 4"	3" to 4"	2" to 3"	2" to 3"	0" to 3"	0" to 3"

Range of supplemental summer water: 17"-24"
Range of supplemental winter water: 0"-15"

0"-3"

2"-3"

3"-4"

2"-3"

0"-3"

Jan*

Feb*

Mar*

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov*

Dec*

For more information on how to use this Irrigation Schedule and Graph, follow this link.

For information how to calculate your irrigation system’s schedule and precipitation rate, please follow this link.

Plant Properties

Plant Type: Ground cover, Perennial
Foliage Character: Evergreen
Habit: Spreading, Mounding, Delicate
Growth Rate: Moderate
Height: 15 in. - 20 in.
Width: 2 ft. - 3 ft.
Water Needs: Moderate 4
Foliage Color: Dark green
Flower Color: Pink, White, Magenta
Flower Season: Spring
Soil Adaptations: Well-draining soil, Loam
Exposure Adaptations: Morning sun, Moderate shade, Heat, Filtered or indirect sunlight, All day sun
Function: Rock gardens, Residential spaces, Raised planters, Mass planting, Grouped, Flowering accent plant, Container plant, Commercial spaces, Borders, Banks, Attracts butterflies, Small spaces

Maintenance

Cut back all the way to the ground when looking ragged, usually in winter (4). Plants will regrow rapidly. For best look, cut back annually, but every 2-3 years can usually be sufficient if desired (S).

References