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Native to South Africa, the African daisy (Osteospermum) delights gardeners with a profusion of brightly colored flowers throughout the long summer blooming season. This tough plant tolerates drought, poor soil, and even a certain amount of neglect, but it rewards regular care, including an occasional trim. Let’s learn the lowdown on pruning African daisies.
African daisy is a perennial in the warm climates of USDA plant hardiness zone 9 or 10 and above, depending on the variety. Otherwise, the plant is grown as an annual. To keep them healthy and flowering, it helps to know a little about how to prune African daisy plants – which may consist of pinching, deadheading, and trimming.
With their vibrant, daisy-like blooms in shades of purple, pink, orange, yellow and white, African daisies (Osteospermum species) are a beloved flower for gardens, containers and bouquets. To keep your African daisies looking their best and promoting new growth, it’s important to clean them properly through regular deadheading, pruning, and foliage trimming. Here’s a complete guide to cleaning African daisy flowers for optimal health and maximum blooms.
Deadheading African Daisies
Deadheading simply refers to removing any spent, faded or dying flowers from the African daisy plants. It’s one of the most important cleaning tasks for these flowers. Here are key tips for effective deadheading:
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Inspect plants frequently and remove old blooms as soon as you notice them by pinching or snipping them off. Don’t wait until they wilt.
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Use clean, sharp scissors or garden snips to cut off the spent bloom just above a set of healthy leaves.
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Make the cut at an angle to allow water to run off and avoid rotting.
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Check plants daily during peak bloom periods to stay on top of deadheading
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Remove not only old flowers but also developing seed heads which can sap energy.
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Discard deadheaded debris in the trash – not the compost pile.
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Deadheading encourages more blooms by preventing plants from setting seed.
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Continual deadheading extends the blooming period from spring through fall.
Pruning African Daisies
Pruning is another essential cleaning task that promotes plant health. Follow these tips for pruning African daisies:
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Prune lightly in early spring when new growth emerges.
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Use sharp clean shears to remove dead or damaged stems back to healthy growth.
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Thin crowded interior growth to improve air circulation to the center of plants.
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Prune leggy growth back by a third to encourage bushier, compact plants.
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Pinch off the tips of long shoots to promote branching and fullness.
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Remove crossing stems that rub together along with diseased or insect damaged parts.
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Pruning helps plants maintain a tidy, attractive shape and form.
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It also reduces disease and pest problems by improving airflow.
Trimming African Daisy Foliage
The leaves of African daisies may also require periodic trimming and grooming:
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Remove any leaves that are yellowed, wilted, spotted with fungus, or insect chewed.
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Trim off portions of leaves damaged by hail or mechanical injury.
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Prune back leggy growth to keep plants from becoming lanky and unkempt.
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Cut back any wayward shoots straying outside the desired plant shape.
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Disinfect pruners between cuts with isopropyl alcohol to prevent disease spread.
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Foliage trimming improves plant appearance and redirects energy to new growth.
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Allow plants time to re-grow after severe trimming before additional pruning.
Cleaning Up African Daisies After Blooming
Once African daisies have finished their main season of flowering, you’ll need to clean them up properly:
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Cut back all flower stems after bloom period ends.
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Prune plants by approximately a third to remove old, woody growth.
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Groom plants by removing any damaged leaves and crossing branches.
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This rejuvenation pruning encourages fresh new growth and future blooms.
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Compost all trimmings to recycle nutrients (unless diseased).
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Prepare for winter if you garden in colder zones by mulching plants.
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Cleaning up spent blooms prepares plants for the next flowering season.
Maintaining Cleanliness During Bloom Season
During the active growth and blooming period, stay on top of cleanliness with these tips:
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Check plants frequently for faded blooms and deadhead promptly.
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Remove leaves or blooms that become diseased or infested by pests.
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Apply mulch around plants to prevent dirt from splashing onto foliage during watering or rain.
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Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to keep foliage dry when watering.
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Stake tall hybrids to keep branching upright and blooms clean.
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Allow space between plants for air circulation to avoid fungal issues.
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Monitor for aphids and other pests and treat any found immediately.
Keeping African daisies well-groomed enhances their beauty in your garden. By deadheading, pruning and trimming these flowers properly, you’ll be rewarded with vigorous, healthy plants and a bounty of colorful blooms.
Common Questions About Cleaning African Daisies
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about properly cleaning African daisy plants:
How often should I deadhead my African daisies?
Deadhead plants at least every 2-3 days during peak bloom. Check daily to remove spent flowers promptly.
Should I cut back my African daisies in fall?
Yes, prune by 1/3 to 1/2 of their height after flowering ends to remove old growth before winter.
Is it okay to cut off dead or dying leaves on my African daisy?
Absolutely! Removing any unsightly, damaged foliage keeps plants looking attractive.
How much can I prune African daisies without harming them?
These plants tolerate pruning well – it’s generally safe to prune up to 1/3 of their size at one time.
How do I prune African daisies to be bushy instead of leggy?
Pinch or prune long shoots back above an outward facing leaf bud to promote full, compact growth.
Can I compost the deadheaded flowers and pruned stems?
Yes, as long as they are free of disease – compost provides useful nutrients back to your garden soil.
How often should I trim off old blooms and foliage?
Inspect plants at least every few days and remove spent blooms and damaged leaves promptly.
Is there a best time of day to prune African daisies?
Prune in the morning on a dry, sunny day to reduce disease risks from pruning wounds.
With proper deadheading, pruning, trimming, and seasonal clean up, your African daisies will continue providing colorful, bountiful blooms season after season.
When to Cut Back African Daisies
If you live in USDA plant hardiness zone 9 or above, perennial African daisies benefit from annual pruning. Cut the plant to the ground in late fall or early spring. Either time is acceptable, but if you are set on a tidy garden going into winter, you may want to prune in autumn. On the other hand, if you appreciate the textural appearance of the African daisy “skeletons,” you may want to wait until early spring. Waiting until spring also provides seed and shelter for songbirds and offers protection for the roots, especially when insulating leaves are trapped in the dead stems.