The genus Felicia is one of southern Africa’s most charming daisy groups, celebrated for its sparkling yellow centres framed by ray florets in shades of blue, violet, lilac and white. Belonging to the Asteraceae, these plants range from tiny ground-hugging cushions and rocky crevice specialists to airy shrublets dancing above dry grasslands and fynbos slopes. Many Felicia species are exquisitely adapted to harsh conditions – sun, wind, poor soils and seasonal drought – yet reward gardeners with clouds of cheerful blooms that attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators. With their wild elegance and remarkable resilience, Felicia daisies bring a distinctly South African brilliance to gardens worldwide.

Felicia microsperma (Aster microspermus)

If you want a Felicia with dramatic wild character, Felicia microsperma delivers – its flowers have slender, slightly irregular purple rays and bold yellow centres, giving them a wind-swept, veld-authentic look rather than a perfectly manicured daisy form. It’s a species that looks alive in natural landscapes.

This species is recorded as indigenous to the Northern Cape and Western Cape, and is well suited to open, sunny sites with gritty soils and scattered stones. In mass planting, it creates the impression of a naturally occurring wildflower patch – perfect for indigenous gardeners and international growers seeking true South African botanical identity.

Plants form a tufted base with narrow foliage and send up multiple flowering stems, often carrying buds, fresh blooms, and older heads at the same time. Flowering is typically best in spring, but may vary with rainfall and temperature, especially in more arid settings.

Cultivation Note: Use a very free-draining, sandy/gravel mix and keep seedlings lightly moist until they’re growing strongly. Mature plants prefer full sun and lean soils (too much richness can cause soft growth). Excellent for xeric beds, rockeries, and wildflower-style sowings where a natural, untidy-beautiful look is desired.