Osteospermum 'Sky and Ice' Seeds
If you want a plant that looks cool, calm, and collected even in a heatwave, 'Sky and Ice' is it. This stunning African Daisy produces masses of pure, snowy white petals that surround a striking, metallic blue-violet eye. The contrast is so sharp it almost looks painted.
This is a compact, sun-loving plant that is perfect for the modern gardener. It naturally forms a neat, bushy mound covered in flowers, making it the ideal choice for patio pots, window boxes, or the front of a sunny border. These flowers are "solar-powered"—they open wide to catch the sun and close up in the evening or on cloudy days to protect their pollen.
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🌿 Understanding the Plant
Osteospermum is a Half-Hardy Annual (technically a tender perennial).
It originates from South Africa, so it is built for heat and drought but hates frost.
The Strategy: Treat it as a summer bedding plant. Sow indoors in spring and plant out in June. It will flower continuously until the first frosts of autumn.
Top Tip: Don't overwater! This plant hates soggy roots. Let the soil dry out slightly between waterings to keep it happy.
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow
These seeds are easy to grow but need warmth to start.
Germination:
Sow indoors from February to May. Sow seeds on the surface of moist compost and cover lightly with vermiculite. Keep warm (20°C). Germination takes 7-14 days.
Where to Sow:
They demand full sun. They will get leggy and stop flowering in the shade. They thrive in light, free-draining soil or potting compost mixed with grit.
Care While Growing:
Pinch: When seedlings are 5-10cm tall, pinch out the growing tip to encourage a bushy habit.
Deadhead: Snip off the faded flower heads regularly. This stops the plant producing seed and forces it to make more flowers.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Osteospermum ecklonis |
| Common Name | African Daisy 'Sky and Ice' |
| Hardiness | H2 (Half-Hardy - Needs Frost Protection) |
| Light Required | Full Sun ☀️ |
| Height | ↕️ 30cm - 40cm (Compact) |
| Spread | ↔️ 30cm |
| Spacing | 🌱 25cm apart |
| Great for | 🏺 Patio Pots 🏜️ Drought Tolerance ❄️ Cool Colour Themes 🐝 Pollinators |
| Seed Count | Approx. 30 seeds per packet |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
The crisp white and blue of 'Sky and Ice' pairs perfectly with other cool or silver-leaved plants:
- 🥈 Cineraria 'Silver Dust': The Cool Combo. The silver-felted leaves of Cineraria look incredible next to the crisp white petals of the Osteospermum. It creates a "Moon Garden" effect in a container.
- 🔵 Lobelia 'Crystal Palace': The Blue Match. The deep electric blue of this Lobelia picks up the metallic blue eye of the 'Sky and Ice' perfectly. Plant the Lobelia around the edge of the pot to trail over.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar
Sow indoors in spring. Plant out in June. Flowers June to October.
| Month | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow Indoors | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | ||||||||
| Flowers | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 |
🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence
This variety has been selected for its outstanding garden performance. It is robust, floriferous, and provides a valuable source of nectar for insects in high summer.
- Regular price
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£2.20 - Regular price
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- Sale price
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£2.20
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