Swan River Daisy: Australian Gardening Guide

Introducing Swan River Daisy

Brachyscome iberidifolia, also commonly known as the Swan River Daisy, is a native of Western Australia. This beautiful annual is a relatively short plant, growing to between 25-40 cm tall and 30cm wide.

Flowers can be mauve, blue, white, purple, or even pink. Brachyscome makes for a fantastic native ground cover in Australian gardens. It also makes for an attractive potted colour.  

Brachyscome flowers 

This Australian native normally flowers about 16 weeks after planting. Brachyscome iberidifolia is an annual that comes in a wide range of vibrant colours. Swan river daisy flowers can vary in colour from mauve, blue, white, purple or even pink. The most common colour is mauve blue. 

Flowers typically appear in spring and summer. If the seeds are sown in spring, the daisy should flower through summer and into autumn. The swan river daisy flowers over an extended period making them a favourite for Australian gardeners.

When to Plant Swan River Daisy Seeds in Australia

Brachycome iberidifolia can be grown from seed. You can sow swan river daisy seed from late winter through to early summer, depending on where you are based in Australia. 

For gardeners in Australian tropical and subtropical gardens who would like to start growing swan river daisy from seed, using a propagator, you could sow in July or August. Those in temperate areas of Australia should wait until at least September when the weather is beginning to warm up as they are not frost tolerant. 

Use seed boxes or punnets so you can then transplant the daisy to your garden. Sow a few of the swan river daisy seeds in clumps about 20 cm apart. Because the seeds are so small it is prudent to cover them lightly with some seed-raising mix or vermiculite. Sowing depth should be around 3mm. 

You can also sow seeds directly into garden beds or container pots but do so only after the danger of frost has passed. Seedlings will take between 14-21 days to emerge.

Where to Position Australian Swan River Daisy 

Brachycome iberidifolia are versatile and attractive plants that look fantastic in garden beds, hanging baskets, and container pots. If planting in the garden, consider their height against other plants. 

Annuals look best when grown in informal drifts. Given they are relatively short plants, they typically are placed towards the front of a garden bed as an attractive border. 

It is best to plant Swan River daisies in a full sun position. They will tolerate shade but prefer a sunny spot in the garden. 

Best Soil for Swan River Daisy

Swan River Daisies do well in clay or sandy soil. The soil should be well-drained. There isn’t any real need to add manure or garden compost. If the soil is too rich, the daisies will produce a lot of soft growth but very few flowers. An initial treatment of some liquid fertiliser should be sufficient. 

If planting in container pots or hanging baskets a good premium potting mix works well. Again, it is important to ensure that the pot has adequate drainage so that the potting mix doesn’t become waterlogged.

How to Care for Swan River Daisy 

When Swan River daisies are established, they need very little attention. They are quite comfortable in hot, dry conditions. Make sure not to overwater your swan river daisy. While the daisies like water there is no need to water more than once or twice a week in dry weather. 

You can deadhead to prolong the flowering season. They can be cut back and will regenerate quickly.