For a shrub that delivers cheerful white blooms for months on end, Marguerite Daisy is a true garden favourite. Also known as Paris Daisy or Cobbitty Daisy, this compact, bushy evergreen shrub features attractive, finely divided, fern-like leaves of soft, grey-green, creating an airy, textured backdrop. From early spring through autumn (and often year-round in mild coastal gardens), it produces an endless succession of classic, single or double daisy flowers, typically white with a bright golden-yellow centre.
Native to the Canary Islands and Madeira, Marguerite Daisy has proven wonderfully suited to the Western Cape’s temperate, coastal climate. It thrives in full sun—at least 6 hours of direct light for the most abundant blooms and compact shape. It demands well-drained, sandy or loamy soil and, once established, is remarkably drought-tolerant and water-wise. It excels in coastal conditions, handling strong winds and salt spray with ease. It’s hardy to light to moderate frost but may need protection in colder inland valleys. Reaching 60–90cm tall and wide, it’s perfect for borders, mass plantings, coastal gardens, rockeries, or as a cheerful accent in containers.
Key Features:
- One of the longest-blooming shrubs—early spring through autumn, non-stop
- Classic white daisies with golden-yellow centres; pink, yellow, and apricot cultivars also available
- Exceptionally tolerant of coastal winds and salt spray
- Fine, fern-like grey-green foliage for year-round texture
Gardening Note: Plant in full sun in well-drained, sandy or loamy soil. Avoid heavy, waterlogged soils, especially in winter. Water regularly until established; mature plants are drought-tolerant. Lightly prune or shear back by about a third after each major flowering flush to maintain a compact shape and encourage continuous blooms. Deadheading isn’t strictly necessary, but it keeps plants tidier. In colder inland areas, protect from severe frost or grow in a movable container. Easily propagated from cuttings.
