Create Your Own Australian Native Wildflower Meadow

Vast swathes of wildflowers in Western Australia, where Mother Nature paints the landscape in a kaleidoscope of colours, captivate us during winter and spring. These meadows contain a beautiful collection of native flowers, including delightful species of paper daisies.

Yellow paper daisies (Schoenia filifolia) are brightly coloured dwarf daisies that produce masses of sunshine-yellow flowers over several months. Growing to around 30 – 40 cm tall they love a full sun location in either garden beds or containers.

You can sow Yates Yellow Paper Daisy seeds throughout Australia during autumn. Enrich the soil or potting mix beforehand by mixing in some Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser. It adds valuable organic matter which benefits soil structure, encourages earthworms and beneficial soil microorganisms and helps hold moisture in the soil. It will also provide organic native-plant- friendly slow release nutrients to the daisies as they establish.

In warm and temperate climates, you can also sow seed of Yates Pink Paper Daisy (in cool areas, delay sowing until spring). These hardy annual daisies (Rhodanthe chlorocephala) are easy to grow, producing pretty pale pink flowers with a yellow centre and can create a massed display in sunny garden beds or pots.

It's best to sow these daisy seeds direct where the plants are to grow, covering lightly with some Yates Seed Raising Mix. Keep the area moist while the seedlings establish (seeds take up to 4 weeks to germinate) and then thin out any excess seedlings when they're 5 – 7 cm high, leaving a 15 - 30 cm spacing between plants.   Paper daisies are drought hardy, though will appreciate being watered during prolonged dry periods. Water at the base of the plant, avoiding the foliage. To promote healthy growth and lots of beautiful flowers, feed paper daisies every 2 weeks with Yates Dynamic Lifter Liquid. It's a rich natural liquid fertiliser that's safe for feeding Australian native plants and is easy to apply via a watering can.

Flower tip: Yellow and pink paper daisies make a beautiful dried flower. Pick the flowers when they have just opened, tie in bunches and hang with their heads down in a cool, well aired indoor position until fully dried.