Felicia is a genus of about 80 species of annuals, perennials and evergreen subshrubs and (rarely) shrubs found in open sunny habitat in the Arabian Peninsula and tropical and southern Africa. Some are frost hardy, others are frost tender.

They are grown for their mass of daisy-like, mainly blue flower heads with yellow disc-florets, often borne over long periods in summer.

BLUE DAİSY  Felicia amelloides

This Felicia is usually a perennial, evergreen shrublet, about 0,5 x 0.5 m. It is densely branched and frequently has dark reddish stems. The flowerheads are typical of the Asteraceae and are about 30 mm in diameter and are borne on naked stalks up to 180 mm long. Unlike many daisies, these do not close at night.

In Pretoria gardens they flower almost throughout the year, with most flowers in spring and early summer. They live a long time, usually at least five years, under normal conditions.

The blue felicia bush withstands light frost. Needs a light, sandy or gravelly soil with good drainage and much compost if possible. Give a dressing of fertilizer for flowering plants (with ratio of N:P:K = 3:1:5) or a general fertilizer (ratio of 2:3:2) and mix some super phosphate into the soil. Water it regularly, but moderately, especially during the dry season.

Felicia amelloides propagated by seed or cuttings in spring. The latter method is quicker and the resultant plants should flower in about a year. Once established, Blue Daisy is quick growing and can look good for many years. When young, it can be made to bush well if the main shoots are pinched out. Light pruning during the summer will encourage more crops of flowers. To improve appearance, cut off the many old flowers. After about three years, it may need to be cut back if it gets straggly. If it becomes frost-damaged, it will usually resprout and flower a little later than usual. It does not seem to suffer from pests very much, making it even more carefree for the gardener.

Use in Landscape : This felicia could make an effective base for Strelitzia reginae (crane flower) in semishade or sun. A lovely contrast can be achieved by mixing plants with different leaf types. The blue felicia bush goes well with bulbs like Agapanthus , Eucomis autumnalis (Pineapple Flower), Hemorocallis fulva (Day Lily) . Another type of contrast, is the inclusion of grey or whitish-leaved plants among the green ones. They have a cooling effect and look good in all seasons. Examples are Gazania rigens (Trailing Gazania), Helichrysum petiolare, Ajania pacifica. The darker leaved Euryops pectinatus (grey euryops) or dark red colored  Alternathera dentata ruby would also give an interesting contrast.