Re: Swan River Daisy

Gary Matson wrote:
> 
> I was glad to get confirmation on the spelling.  A few years ago I
> bought a Brachyscome melanocarpa from the Santa Cruz Arboretum gift
> shop, and always wondered if it was just a misspelling by an Arboretum
> volunteer.
> 
> The plant has done well in red clay, spreading out some, and blooming
> non-stop from spring through late fall.  Can anyone tell me what its
> minimum temperature tolerance might be, and what kind of situation and
> climate it is native to?  My attempts to root above ground stems have
> never succeeded, but divisions of the underground network is easy. Any
> tricks to stem cuttings?

Gary 

As far as I know,  apart from a couple of rather dull, white-flowered
species in New Zealand, all Brachyscomes are Australian, occurring
naturally mainly in the cooler parts of that country, but very adaptable
to growing even in the hot regions. All seem to be at home in
mediterranean-type areas  and will also be happy right through to cool
temperate conditions (about zone 8, maybe 7). A remarkably adaptable
lot. 

Curiously, my "Bible" of Australian plants, the Australian Wildflower
Catalogue, doesn't list B melanocarpa, but this doesn't mean it is not
from that country, as this book seldom mentions all possible species. 

As to propagating it. The species I grow (multifida) is also reluctant
to root from cuttings, but can easily be persuaded to layer itself by
judicious placement of small stones in the spreading branches.

Moira
-- 
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata, New Zealand
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