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GENERAL
Origin
:
sub-tropical,
tropical
Vigour
:
normal growth
rate
Humidity
:
semi-arid, semi-
humid, very
humid, extremely
humid
Propagation :
sowing and
pricking out,
cuttings
Maintenance :
low
CONDITIONS
Urban climate :
resistant
Dessication :
vulnerable
Stagnant water :
vulnerable
Irrigation
:
medium
Salinity/ppm :
moderate (2500
ppm)
Hardiness
:
-3°C
SHAPE
Type
:
perennial
Height
:
0.2 m-0.4 m
Spread
:
0.8 m-1.5 m
Foliage
:
evergreen
FLOWER
Colour
:
bright yellow
Size
:
2 cm - 3 cm
Period
:
May - September
FRUIT
Type of fruit :
achene
Fruit size
:
0.4 cm
This herbaceous plant is one of the best groundcovers suitable for Arriyadh. Creeping Daisies
originate from tropical America, including the islands where they became used to a degree of
salinity. In hot and dry locations, established plants still show lush vitality, with dark-green leaves
that are glossy on top. They are evergreen and have three lobes, which led to the specific name
trilobata. Mats are very dense, 20 cm to 40 cm high, and spread rapidly. Areas covered will not
allow any weed to peek through. Bright-yellow flowers are borne from spring to autumn. They
are daisy-like and measure some 3 cm across. Seeds may be used for propagation and tip cuttings
root easily in a mixture of compost and sand. Creeping Daisies tolerate poor conditions but de-
mand well-drained soils. Occasional watering and some fertiliser every now and then will result
in a healthy appearance. Maintenance is very low when the basic requirements are met. The plant
performs best in full sun, while growing leggy with too much shade. It makes an ideal groundco-
ver on slopes, and fills open ground between boulders and taller plants. Attractive arrangements
are achieved in containers when the runners spill over, and the plants look well when they casca-
de down a wall. They are quite brittle and very sensitive to foot traffic. Frost kills the foliage and
fleshy stems, but the plants recover quickly. Since the dead remnants need to be discarded, sites
where plants are exposed to cold should be avoided.
313
Wedelia trilobata,
Asteraceae
Creeping Daisy