Swan River Daisy – Brachycome iberidifolia or B. hybrid

Common Name: Swan River Daisy

Botanical Name: Brachycome iberidifolia or B. hybrid, bra-KIK-o-me

Decorative Life: Many weeks under proper conditions.

Flower Color: Blue, Pink, Violet, White, Yellow

Availability: Year Round

• Member of the Asteraceae or Compositae (aster or sunflower family).
• Native to South Australia.
• Related species include chrysanthemum, sunflower, daisy, gerbera.

• Leaves hairy and finely divided.
• Classed as a dicotyledon, leaves not parallel veined.
• Rapid growing, bushy annual with mostly blue daisy type flowers.
• Flowers have slight fragrance.

Unknown but assumed to be about 34-38F.

• The Compositae or aster family is vast, with over 20,000 species, and is also one of the most developed families. It was named Compositae because the flowers are actually a “composite” of many individual flowers into one head. Hence, when children pull one “petal” off at a time, saying “she/he loves me, loves me not”, they are actually removing a complete flower, not just a petal.
• Drought tolerant. Blue flowered species in the Asteraceae are uncommon.
• The genus name is Greek for short hairs referring to the short hairs of the pappus.
• Common series include Mini and Jumbo Outback Daisies, Outback Fan Flower and Outback paper Daisies.
• Will generally do well in light levels at least bright enough to read a newspaper in comfort but more light (up to filtered full sunlight) would be better.