Photo by Andrea Giacoletti

Grandaisy Yellow

By Andrea Peck  UCCE Master Gardener

Common name: Grandaisy Yellow

Scientific name: Argyranthemum frutescens

Planting area: USDA Zones 9-11

Size: 18-24”

Bloom Season: spring to summer

Exposure: full to partial sun

Pruning needs: to promote midseason bloom

Water needs: low

Snapshot:

If you're in the market for showstopping, Grandaisy Yellow is just the ticket. Large blooms, bright yellow petals, and a teddie bear brown center make this plant the highlight of any garden. Grandaisy gives you a boost in the morning, welcomes you in the evening, and word travels insect-speed as bees and butterflies fly like the crows to visit.

Yes, the Grandaisy is indeed Grand. A vigorous flowering plant, it grows up to two feet in width and height and blooms heavily in early spring---perfect timing as we shed the doldrums of winter. It grows best in temperatures that range between 60ºF and 70ºF. Depending on your location, plant in full sun or partial sun. The Grand Lady may fade in high temperatures, but as summer approaches, we want to keep this star of the show happy.

She is not picky, however, when it comes to the dirt beneath her feet. It won't be necessary to special order soil; just the basics will do. Perhaps the swooning blooms on her head, keep her mind off of her toes, but do make sure the soil drains well. Excess moisture around her roots may cause rot. Which leads to that important California question, to which we answer ---yes, Grandaisy is drought tolerant. Just make sure to irrigate the plant under very hot, dry conditions. Like other athletes, promote maximum performance by using a well-balanced, all-purpose liquid fertilizer once monthly. Pruning as blooms fade will encourage a second flowering.

This plant is equally comfortable potted or in the ground. But beware if you plant her en masse, you may cause a traffic jam as your neighbors slow down to ogle the display.

There's nothing better than a bright bushy plant with a head full of sunny yellow flowers. When the experts describe it with the word 'vigor', it's even better.

Advice to Grow By Workshops

Our next Advice to Grow By Workshop will be October 21st, 2023, at 10:00 to 12:00 p.m. in our Garden of the Seven Sisters Demonstration Garden at 2154 Sierra Way, San Luis Obispo. The topic will be “Vertical Vegetable Gardening.” The workshop is free and open to the public. Docents will be available after the workshop until 1:00 pm. If inclement weather, the workshop will be canceled.

You can view workshops on Instagram live at slo mg or visit our You Tube channel at “San Luis Obispo County UC Master Gardeners.”

Visit our website at ucanr.edu/sites/mgslo/ or email questions to anrmgslo@ucanr.edu.

UCCE Master Gardener Helpline offices:

San Luis Obispo: 805-781-5939 (Monday and Thursday 1:00 to 5:00)

Arroyo Grande: 805-473-7190 (Wednesday 10:00 to 12:00)

Templeton: 805-434-4105 (Wednesday 9:00 to 12:00)