In this article, we will discuss how to grow the not often seen plant of Pallenis maritima in containers. You may not see this delightful plant in gardens throughout the UK, but it is well worth seeking. You will properly find it sold under the synonym of Asteriscus maritimus and has the common name of Canary Island Daisy or Mediterranean Beach Daisy, or even the Gold Coin Daisy. It is a 25cm tall plant that is often found around the Mediterranean coastal areas.
Pallenis is a compact, low-spreading, matting sub-shrub that is famed for its bright golden, yellow flowers that are produced all summer long, providing you deadhead regularly.
It is not totally hardy but can take temperatures as low as – 5 degrees Celsius. In bitter cold winters, you may need to cover it in thick horticultural fleece to protect the plant or move them under the protection of a greenhouse or a conservatory.
HOW TO PLANT PALLENIS MARITIMA
It is best to grow from shop-bought plants, instead of seeds as it is more reliable and easier.
First, choose a container that is within proportions to the plant in question. Make sure the container has plenty of drainage holes and then fill it with a 1cm layer of gravel. Mix 30% by volume perlite with 70% by volume of multipurpose compost to create a light and dry growing media. Fill the container with this growing media, making sure that the growing media is not too tightly packed in.
Dig a hole in the compost slightly bigger than the root ball it came in the original container. Drop the plant in so that the top of the root ball is at the same level as the top of the surface of the compost. Backfill with the growing media, making sure that any gaps that remain are filled with more growing media. Firm the plant in and water well.
This plant will not need much in the way of watering, as they do prefer it to be dry at the roots. Only water if the plant is wilting and the compost feels dry to the touch and the container is easy to lift up.
Place the container where it can get the most sunlight possible. As it is a coastal plant, it will not need much in the way of feeding. I would give an annual dressing with a slow-release fertilizer to give a boost during the growing season and nothing else. One must is that the plant is deadheaded regularly throughout the growing season. No deadheading, it will stop producing flowers later on in the season.
PESTS AND DISEASES
Luckily this is one plant that does not suffer from diseases. The only problem, you will have is root rot if the roots are left in moisture for too long. It is best to create a free-draining growing media than deal with the aftermath of roots rotting. It may need to be protected in cold winter, so have a horticultural fleece ready.
VARIETIES TO GROW
The one variety to grow is Pallenis maritima syn. Asteriscus maritimus. It is a plant that has spoon-shaped, grey-green leaves that look silken. On top of these leaves masses of golden yellow, daisy-like blooms are produced all summer long.
CONCLUSIONS
In this article, we have discussed how to grow Pallenis maritima in containers. If you are looking for a wonderful sub-shrub that can grace your container display with yellow flowers, then this is the container plant for you. Easy to look after, easy to care for as long as the plant is never exposed to too much rain. You may need to plant it so that it will never get too much water.
If you have any questions or comments that you wish to make on growing Pallenis maritima in containers, please do so in the comment box below.
Happy Pallenis growing.