PlantFiles: Livingstone Daisy, Livingston Daisy, Ice Plant
Dorotheanthus bellidiformis

Light affects germination negatively: the seeds germinate, but the radicle don't develop (sow in darkness OR cover the seeds with a fine layer of soil is far, far better). Need a very free draining mix. Definitely mature plants dislike root disturbance.

Here in Spangle, WA (zone 5a/b) I have successfuly started seeds in my unheated greenhouse. Outside, the weather has been hovering around 30-33 degrees at night, so the greenhouse is sitting right around 35-40 inside. Daytime temperatures inside the greenhouse range from 55-75 depending on the amount of sun during the day. I'm really looking forward to these flowers. I purchased a plant last year and it wasn't as daily like. It appeared more like a moss rose than the daisy-like photos I see here. I'm hoping for the daisy look. Will keep site posted as plants progress.

These are wonderful in hanging pots or planter edges for hot, sunny sites, try them mixed with portulaca too!

another name for this plant is "go to bed" flower. why? because it opens with the sun and closes when it leaves.

This is a great front of the border plant, and does especially well along sunny pavement edges or trailing over rock walls. It is drought tolerant, and loves the edges of sidewalks. It is impossible to have too many.

These are fun to grow. I treat them like wild flowers by sowing them randomly where ever I like to see some colors. I do need to give them some watering for them to grow well. Mine had pink, orange, yellow and some are bi-color. Mine died after it goes to seed.

Palmer, Alaska: Unfortunately, got off to a late start with seeds. Grew quite well, even in bad soil. Bloomed beautiful peach and neon pink colors. Had many blooms waiting to open in late August when moose came into the yard and ate every one of them to the ground. (By the way, the moose didn't touch my geraniums, nastursium, pansies, etc.)

Also grew from starts in Nikiski, Alaska. Bloomed absolutely awesome colors all summer, even survived one or two hard frosts!

Mine has only neon fuchsia blooms, growing in a dense clump. Has overwintered one mild winter. Starts easily from cuttings; I haven't tried collecting seeds. Foliage resembles portulaca, but it's more dense.

Fairbanks, Alaska: I have grown these in the hot summer months with wonderful success. Gorgeous bright neon colors --- when there is sun. No sun --- no flowers (or rather they don't open. Still and all, a favorite with Portulaca nearby.

Livingston Daisies are a welcome spot of color in Seward, Alaska gardens in August. The riot of color is reminiscent of the Mexican crepe paper pans I can recall from youth... oranges, reds, hot pink, peach, yellow. The stems of this plant seem tenuous at best, but they manage to support the bulbous, hairy foliage and large blooms. The Livingstons are well suited to borders, rock gardens, and planters.

Seeds germinate at 70 degrees. Do not exclude light.