PlantFiles: Blue Lace Flower, Rottnest Island Daisy
Trachymene coerulea

I grow a cut flower crop, and trachymene does great here in Memphis (7b) in the spring. Last year, I planted it out in early March and had cuts through June. I'm trying it in the greenhouse as a winter crop, but can't find any solid culture information.

In a 6a garden the didiscus self seeds. I have found over the last three years that they will continually rebloom if spent blooms are removed regularly. The small plants are easily moved in spring when they have 4 to 6 leaves. They are happier in more sun than shade.

This is one of the most delicate and pretty of all half-hardy annuals. The delicate flowers are a blue version of the wildflower, Queen Anne's Lace. It forms a bushy plant with light green, deeply divided foilage. The small, dainty lavender-blue flowers are displayed in heads 1-2 inches wide and appear from midsummer to autumn. They are suitable for cutting, but the leaves and stems are sticky to touch.

Cultivation: Ordinary, well cultivated garden soil and a sunny, sheltered position suit it.

Propagation: Late winter or early spring, sow seeds in 1/8" deep flats of sterile potting soil at 61`F. When seedlings are large enough to handle, separate into pots. Plant out as soon as all danger of frost is past.