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(Felicia fruticosa)
Shrub Aster (Felicia fruticosa)
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Nicola van Berkel
CC BY-SA 4.0
Image By:
Nicola van Berkel
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY-SA 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Nicola van Berkel | License Type: CC BY-SA 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Nicola van Berkel | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2019-09-30T09:11:04-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Felicia fruticosa, commonly known as Shrub Aster, is an evergreen subshrub or shrub native to the coastal and montane regions of South Africa. It typically grows to a height of up to 1.3 meters (4 ft 3 in) and is characterized by its strongly branching habit and fibrous, peeling, greyish-brown bark. The plant’s leaves are small, flat, entire, and hairless with a leathery texture. Felicia fruticosa produces flower heads that display about twenty medium to light purple, rarely white, ray florets, each with a strap-like ligule approximately 10 millimeters (0.39 in) long and 2 millimeters (0.079 in) wide. These ray florets encircle numerous yellow disc florets, each with a crown up to 4 millimeters (0.16 in) long, and the anthers are merged into a tube through which the style grows when the floret opens.
The Shrub Aster is valued for its long flowering season, which can extend from spring to autumn, and its daisy-like flowers that add a splash of color to the garden. It is often used in borders, rock gardens, and as a ground cover due to its low maintenance and drought tolerance. In cultivation, it thrives in full sun and requires low to medium amounts of water, preferring well-drained soils. While it is generally pest-free, it can be susceptible to root rot in poorly drained soils. Gardeners should be aware that it may require protection from frost in colder climates.CC BY-SA 4.0
The Shrub Aster is valued for its long flowering season, which can extend from spring to autumn, and its daisy-like flowers that add a splash of color to the garden. It is often used in borders, rock gardens, and as a ground cover due to its low maintenance and drought tolerance. In cultivation, it thrives in full sun and requires low to medium amounts of water, preferring well-drained soils. While it is generally pest-free, it can be susceptible to root rot in poorly drained soils. Gardeners should be aware that it may require protection from frost in colder climates.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Subshrub, Shrub
- Height: 2-3 feet
- Width: 2-3 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Yellow, White, Purple
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Low, Medium
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Groundcover, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Showy Flowers
Natural Habitat
Native to the coastal and montane regions of South Africa
Other Names
Common Names: Aster Bush, Marguerite
Scientific Names: , Felicia fruticosa, Aster fruticulosus,
GBIF Accepted Name: Felicia fruticosa (L.) Nicholson