When it comes to weed suppression, hardiness and dynamic colour, these 3 Africans have got it covered!

Osteospermum

Osteospermums need a sunny aspect, so plant them in a sunny border. They also thrive in a pot on a sunny patio! Water regularly to avoid the plants from drying out. Keep well watered, especially the first two weeks after planting! For best results feed your Osteospermums on a weekly basis with a general fertilizer such as Thrive or Maxicrop, the extra nutrients will encourage more flowers. Remove spent flowers on a regular basis to keep them looking tidy.
Cutting back Osteospermums will promote new fresh side shoots in no time! Pruning is most beneficial to the so called hardy types of Osteospermum. It's best to cut them back in early spring or in the autumn.

Varieties

'Trentbridge' - Magenta

'Blush Mist' - Pink/white

'Lemon Mist' - Lemon yellow'

'White Mist' - White

'Purple Mist' - Magenta/purple 

Arctotis

The new and improved varieties of Arctotis are great for sunny gardens. They are quite happy in dry soils and beach sands, in raised gardens, even banks and slopes which dry out quickly. The flowering performance is spectacular and lengthy, going on for month after month. When there's a pause, simply give a light trimming and a new crop of flowers will soon emerge.

'Hannah' - Morrocan Gold flowers.

'Hayley' - Tallowwood honey flowers.

'Safari Series' – A range of colours including Bright Yellow, Pale Pink and Bright Pink

'Bengal Tiger' – Very tough, burnt orange with black centre

Gazania

A typical daisy like flower up to about 10cm across, Gazanias are commonly banded with a dark zone around the central disc. Some types may have linear petal strips also. Colours vary from white, cream, yellow, gold, orange to the very dark reds, pale to dark lilac variations are possible also. Flowers are produced on stems up to 25cm in length an close in the evening or on dark overcast days. Leaves turn upwards at night.

Direct sunlight is essential. Water well and allow the soil to dry out partially between waterings. Plant into open free draining soil and give fortnightly applications of liquid fertilizer to increase the number of flowers produced and the length of the flowering period. Established plants are quite drought hardy.

Varieties

'Sunset Jane' – Double blooms, dark honey in colour.

'Montezuma' – Double blooms, Bright Earthy Tones.

'Sahara