UF says , " Do not plant in the partial shade. Full day sun is required for healthy plants. Planting month for zone 9: Mar; Apr; May; Sep; Oct

Use and Management
It is a good plant for erosion control in dry areas. It should be planted 12 to 18-inches apart to form a solid ground cover several months after planting. Good soil gives best growth but the plant tolerates poor, sandy soil. Gazania requires less water than most annuals or perennials. Full sun is preferred and the flowers do not open fully on wet or cloudy days. Extended wet weather or poorly drained soil can promote disease which can kill portions of the plant. Removing the old blossoms may increase the number of blooms produced.

Pests and Diseases
No pests or diseases are of major concern but can be susceptible to root rot on wet or poorly drained soils.

Check the link for the answers to the rest of your questions . Sounds like a good choice for me , too !

Here is a link that might be useful: Gazania Info

Bill,

Mine did great in mostly sandy soil, full sun. Watered well until established, then they didn't like a lot of water. When we were getting summer rains, they would rot out in the height of summer. They were beautiful March-July or so. I haven't tried them in the fall.

Bill---I have grown this flower before. I bought a flat from a box store a few years ago. Treat it just like any other regular flower. I planted in enriched soil with normal watering. Yes, it can "burn out". Consider it as an annual.

Christine

Thanks to you all for the information. I'm sorry to hear gazania burns/rots out. I was hoping it would be one of those rare annuals that could take our rainy season in stride. Still I may try them, they're so pretty. Good to know they can handle some sand.

Thanks for the link to the UF page, Mary. I always read those too--and Floridata. (Couldn't find gazania on Floridata though).

Bill

I planted them one year. They're easy to grow, seemed to tolerate my sandy soil, didn't need a lot of nutrients, liked full sun, and the rabbits ate every scrap of them in two nights.

.....Alan.

mine are still going strong... blooming right now. planted back in the spring. they stopped blooming during the doldrums, but they've bounced back. i have no idea how cold-sensitive they are, but they made it through the first hoop... i got them at that "place in the son" nursery. crazy people but nice plants.

oh, and mine were planted in half day sun.

Happy Birthday ill !

Sorry to hijack the thread Bill .

Maybe I'm going to give these things a try after all. I don't think I have any rabbit problems. If I do I'll probably try them from seeds.

Happy Birthday, Ill!