High Country Gardens
Purple Mountain Sun Daisy
Best low-maintenance perennial for gardeners in dry, high-elevation climates.
The Purple Mountain® Sun Daisy is a vibrant perennial that brings a splash of satiny red-violet color to your garden from late spring through mid-summer, with potential fall reblooms. This cultivar, Osteospermum barberiae var. compactum, boasts a compact growth habit and deep green foliage, thriving in full sun and well-drained soil. It's well-suited for dry conditions and higher elevations, making it an excellent choice for rock gardens or dry area settings. Regular deadheading encourages continuous blooming, and its low water needs and tolerance for poor soil ensure a resilient and attractive landscape addition.
$15.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
864
/ 3268
#864 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
-42%
Below average
Life Cycle
Perennial
/ Perennial
Who it's for
- Homeowners wanting long-lasting seasonal color
- Eco-conscious gardeners looking to support local pollinators
- Gardeners seeking low-water, low-maintenance landscape solutions
Who should skip it
- Residents in humid, high-heat Southern or coastal climates
- Gardeners managing heavy, moisture-retaining clay soils
- Impatient gardeners wanting immediate, full-sized landscape impact
Performance breakdown
Drought Tolerance
Thrives in arid conditions with minimal supplemental irrigation required.
Bloom Longevity
Provides consistent color from late spring through the summer months.
Pollinator Appeal
Reliably draws bees and butterflies to your garden landscape.
Maintenance Effort
Regular deadheading is necessary to maximize the plant's flowering potential.
Soil Adaptability
Resilient performance even in poor, sandy, or well-drained soil types.
Climate Hardiness
Robust enough to withstand cool nights and diverse hardiness zones.
Key Specs
Life Cycle
Perennial
Watering Needs
Low
Flower Species
Daisy
Light Requirement
Full Sun
Bloom Season
Spring, Summer, Fall
Fragrance Level
No Fragrance
Pet Safe
False
Growth Habit
Mounding
Features
- Long blooming period
- Attracts bees and butterflies
- Drought tolerant
- Compact growth habit
- Tolerates low fertility soil
- Cool night temperature tolerant
- Requires deadheading for best rebloom
- Resilient and attractive addition
What customers say
The Purple Mountain Sun Daisy is consistently praised for its exceptional hardiness and vibrant, long lasting color. Reviewers note that the plants establish quickly, even in challenging conditions, making them a reliable choice for difficult garden spots. The deep purple hue and cheerful yellow centers deliver significant aesthetic impact, exceeding expectations for garden design. This perennial is celebrated for its low maintenance reliability and stunning visual quality, offering both resilience and beauty to any garden.
Know before you buy
This plant requires full sun, which means at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day. It thrives in bright, open conditions and will not bloom well if planted in the shade.
Yes, once it has settled into your garden, it has low water needs and handles dry conditions well. However, you should provide regular water during the first growing season to help it establish a strong root system.
Deadheading is essential for this cultivar. Simply snip off the faded flower heads throughout the spring and summer to redirect the plant's energy into producing new blooms.
It is an excellent choice for those conditions. The Purple Mountain Sun Daisy prefers well-drained, sandy, or even poor-quality soil, making it perfect for rock gardens or slopes where other plants might struggle.
No, this plant is not considered pet-safe. If you have curious cats or dogs that tend to chew on garden plants, you may want to place this daisy in an area they cannot access.
Unfortunately, no. This plant is not deer-resistant, so if you live in an area with high deer traffic, you should consider using protective netting or a repellent to keep them from grazing on the foliage.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
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$16