Calliopsis / Tickseed

Plant family

Daisy family (Asteraceae)

Season Overview

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Dry

Soil

Light (sandy)

Nutrient requirement

Medium

Seeding distance

20 cm

Row spacing

20 cm

Seeding depth

0 cm

Instructions

Description

The girl's eyes or beauty face or bug flowers, belong to the daisy family (Asteraceae). They are cultivated as ornamental plants. Mostly they are annuals or perennials, rarely growing as shrubs. They can grow up to 2 m high, but usually reach heights of 10-80 cm. The flowers of most plants were yellow, but now the flowers come in red, pink, white or reddish-brown, as well as double and unfilled. Unfilled species are popular with insects. Used in the past as a dye and medicinal plant.

Growing tips

Direct seeding possible. Planting distance for higher growing species larger than indicated, depending on the variety. Most species prefer it rather dry and they do not tolerate waterlogging. Germination after 14-25 days at 18-20°C. Tie to a bamboo pole if taller varieties fall apart. Divide after 3 years to rejuvenate plants. Cut back to ground level in fall, this will improve winter hardiness. However, if cut back in spring, the seeds and stems will provide food and shelter for birds and insects. Possibly also cover with foliage or fleece. Propagation mostly by division or basal cuttings for perennial plant, for annual mostly by seed. Fertilize about 1 time per month.