Garden Care Guide

Blue Marguerite Care

Felicia amelloides (syn. Agathea coelestis)

A very sun-loving plant known for its sky-blue, daisy-like flowers. It prefers well-drained soils and is quite drought tolerant. Excellent for borders, pots and rock gardens.

Frost-tender (protect from frost) · -2 °C / 28 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Watering: Natural rainfall is sufficient; irrigation is not needed.
  • Pruning: Only remove spent flowers to tidy the plant.
  • General care: To prevent root rot, make sure there is good drainage.
  • Pests & diseases: In cold and humid weather, watch for the risk of gray mold (botrytis).
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately -2 °C.
February
  • Pruning: Toward the end of the month, encourage a fuller form by cutting the plant back by one-third.
  • General care: A good time for propagation by softwood tip cuttings.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the new shoots for snails.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately -2 °C.
March
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • Fertilizing: Start feeding with a balanced liquid fertilizer (such as NPK 10-10-10) at half dose (do not overdo it).
  • Pruning: For more flowers, pinch off the tips of new shoots (pinching).
  • Plant protection: Check fresh shoots for aphids.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
  • Pests & diseases: Monitor the general condition.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately -2 °C.
April
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • Fertilizing: To encourage flowering, give a potassium-heavy (such as tomato fertilizer) liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks.
  • Pruning: For continuous flowering, regularly cut spent flowers together with their stalks.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Suitable period for planting and transplanting. Flowering begins.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for aphids (green or black clusters of small insects) on fresh shoot tips. If there are only a few, you can knock them off with a strong jet of water.
May
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • Fertilizing: Continue fertilizing every 2-4 weeks.
  • Pruning: For continuous flowering, it is very important to keep cutting spent flowers.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Suitable period for planting and transplanting. Flowering continues. Drainage is critical for this plant. In heavy, water-retaining soil, plant on a mound or bed raised 20-30 cm; the root collar should remain above the surrounding soil level.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for aphids (green or black clusters of small insects) on fresh shoot tips. If there are only a few, you can knock them off with a strong jet of water.
June
  • Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
  • Fertilizing: Continue fertilizing.
  • Pruning: Keep removing spent flowers. If the plant loses its shape, it can be revived with a light trim.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Flowering continues.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for aphids (green or black clusters of small insects) on fresh shoot tips. If there are only a few, you can knock them off with a strong jet of water.
July
  • Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. Water so that the soil is wetted to a depth of 10-15 cm from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: Continue feeding.
  • Pruning: Continue removing spent flowers.
  • Plant protection: Continue checking for spider mites.
  • General care: Flowering continues.
  • Pests & diseases: Watch for signs of stress.
August
  • Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. Water so that the soil is wetted to a depth of 10-15 cm from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: Continue fertilizing.
  • Pruning: Pruning back by one third in midsummer can encourage fresh shoots and flowering for autumn.
  • Plant protection: Continue pest control.
  • General care: Flowering continues.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the general condition.
September
  • Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
  • Fertilizing: Reduce fertilizing to once a month.
  • Pruning: Keep removing faded flowers to enjoy the autumn blooms.
  • Plant protection: Pest pressure decreases.
  • General care: Flowering continues.
  • Pests & diseases: Observe the plant's autumn performance.
October
  • Watering: Water only when the soil is dry.
  • Fertilizing: From the end of the month, stop fertilizing.
  • Pruning: Prune as soon as flowering ends. Next year's flower buds form over the summer; late pruning reduces flowering. After flowering ends, keep a compact form by shortening the branches by one third. Regularly remove spent flowers. Cut back overgrown shoots.
  • Plant protection: Low risk.
  • General care: Prepare for winter. If it is in a pot, plan where you will move it in case of a frost warning.
  • Pests & diseases: Watch out for leaf spotting.
  • Frost risk: Low risk, but be prepared.
November
  • Watering: Natural rainfall is sufficient for garden plants. Water container plants very sparingly.
  • Pruning: Do one last light pruning to tidy the plant up for winter.
  • General care: In winter rains, make sure water does not pool in the root zone; for this plant, drainage is more critical than irrigation.
  • Pests & diseases: Make sure there is good drainage.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately -2 °C.
December
  • Pruning: Remove only rotting parts.
  • General care: Check drainage.
  • Pests & diseases: Root rot is the biggest risk in winter.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately -2 °C.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

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