Gazania rigens (African daisy)
I love gazanias for their two-tone petals and we've grown them every summer for decades. This plant is native to coastal areas in Southern Africa but beautiful though they are, they're also highly invasive. African daisies are now 'naturalized' in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, France, Portugal, California, Argentina and a number of oceanic islands.
We used to grow Gazanias in the back garden but for the past three or four years we've resorted to pots on a table on the back deck. The reason for all this added security is the arrival of Sylvilagus floridanus, the eastern cottontail rabbit. Once restricted to midwestern North America it expanded it's range as the forests were cut down to make rangeland. Now Peter Cottontail has made it to the Pacific coast and my back garden.
Like all rabbits, this species prefers young, tender shoots and is particularly fond of lettuce, beans, carrots and broccoli. The eastern cottontail also chows down on gazanias, marigolds, pansies, and petunias. Last year's vegetable garden was a total wipeout and the only thing they left alone was the garlic and the foxgloves!
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Gazania krebsiana
This is one of the many daisy species native to South Africa, and it is not an uncommon plant in horticulture, widely admired for its large vividly-colored flowers. It is worth stopping for a close look at the wonderful patterns present in the center of the flower; they are almost mesmerizing!
-Brian
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Today's Haiku with Picture 676
Gazanias
Blooming side by side
Are cheerful
ガザニアの
並んで咲けり
陽気なり
(2023.05.17)
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Portrait for my maternal grandparents of their doggo, Balu!
He was a very loyal boy. Always following them everywhere and would rather sleep in the holes he dug than his comfy bed.
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Gazania (African daisy)
The fluffy seeds of a pink Gazania wait patiently for a passing breeze.
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