There's Always a First Time

I like to think that I am not a plant snob. You know, one of those gardeners that turn up their noses at 'common' plants that are often overused in strip mall parking lot planters and such. I try to appreciate each specimen for their own unique characteristics and if being durable and prolific is one of them, that's okay with me. As long as I like them personally, I try not to hold being easy against them.

Gazania is a perennial groundcover that is part of the asteraceae plant family and it grows like crazy in our area. This time of year you can see it everywhere growing like a native wildflower that belongs along side of freeway on ramps. It is actually native to South Africa and tolerates the dry, unamended soil and coastal conditions. I have never been particularly crazy about it and have never had it in my gardens. Until now. For some reason I was enticed to buy a couple (most likely because the bloom color was perfect for the bed I was creating) last year and I must say, they are putting on quite a show in an area that was a problem getting anything to fill in before. They have completely covered the ground and enveloped this iris quite happily. They close their flowers in the evening or on cloudy days and open them when the sun hits them. The foliage is a lovely blue-gray and I just hope that iris is a color that goes well with the hot-pink and orange flowers!