Overview

Native to Africa, blue daisy (Felicia amoena) is a cousin to the cheery white and and yellow daisies that we're all familiar with, but the blue daisy is a shrubbier plant that will produce smaller, 1-inch blooms with bright blue petals and yellow centers. In cold winter climates, blue daisy is planted as an annual, although it may survive chilly winters with proper care. In warmer climates, the plant is a perennial and will usually keep its silvery leaves all winter. Plant blue daisies in the garden or in a patio container. Blue daisy is sometimes known as the kingfisher daisy.

Step 1

Plant blue daisies in full sunlight. Although blue daisies will do fine with a minimum of four hours of sunlight each day, full sunlight will bring out the brightest colors.

Step 2

Water blue daisy deeply every two to three weeks, or when the soil is dry to the touch. Blue daisies grown in containers will need to be watered more often. Check the soil daily, especially during warm, dry weather.

Step 3

Feed blue daisy every month during spring and summer, using a liquid fertilizer for blooming plants. If you prefer, you can apply a slow-release fertilizer twice a year, in early spring and again in midsummer. Don't fertilize blue daisy after August.

Step 4

Protect blue daisies from winter weather if you live in a climate with winter freezes. Cover the plant with a 4- to 5-inch layer of organic mulch such as pine needles, straw, bark chips or dry leaves. Remove the mulch when the weather warms up in spring and keep the area around the plant free of weeds and other debris. Accumulation of weeds and debris can foster fungus and other disease.

Step 5

Deadhead, or remove the blue daisy blooms as soon as they fade so that the energy of the plant will be directed to producing new blooms rather than producing seeds. Cut blue daisy blooms for bouquets as desired.