Also known as Swan River Daisy · 21 saves
Brachyscome
Brachyscome, the genus most gardeners know as swan river daisy. We track 3 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 3 most-saved Brachyscome varieties
Species of Brachyscome
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Brachyscome in Sow
Save the Brachyscome you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Brachyscome
Whats common across all Brachyscome varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 3 most-grown of them.
The Brachyscome year
- PruneJune and September100% of varieties
Shear the plant back by one-third after the summer flowering flush to promote fresh growth.
- FertilizeMarch and April100% of varieties
Apply a light, slow-release balanced fertilizer at the start of the growing season.
- Check for PestsMay–July100% of varieties
Inspect the fine foliage for aphids and spider mites during warm, dry weather.
- PropagateApril and September67% of varieties
Take softwood tip cuttings from healthy stems to start new plants.
Do
- Grow in light, sandy, or loamy soil with excellent drainage.
- Trim back the foliage by one-third after heavy flowering flushes to encourage fresh growth.
- Provide good air circulation around the plant to prevent powdery mildew in humid conditions.
- Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the top few inches of soil to dry out completely between waterings.
- Shear the plant lightly after major flowering flushes to encourage a dense, mounded shape.
Avoid
- Do not overwater or allow the roots to sit in soggy, poorly drained soil.
- Do not cut back hard into old, leafless woody stems, as they will not regenerate well.
- Do not apply heavy, high-nitrogen fertilizers, which cause weak, leggy growth.
- Do not overwater or plant in heavy, poorly drained clay soils that hold water around the roots.
What goes wrong with Brachyscome
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Clusters of small, soft-bodied insects on tender new growth, causing distorted leaves. | Spray the foliage with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on leaf undersides and stippled, yellowing foliage in hot, dry weather. | Apply insecticidal soap or blast the foliage with a sharp stream of water to disrupt the mites. |
| Slugs and snails | Irregular holes chewed in the tender new foliage and young stems, often accompanied by silvery slime trails. | Apply physical barriers, copper tape, or organic iron phosphate baits around the base of the plants. |
| Deer and rabbits | Browsing and foliage loss. | Install physical barriers or apply repellents. |
| Powdery mildew | White, powdery fungal patches on the leaves during periods of high humidity. | Space plants to ensure excellent air circulation and avoid overhead watering. |
| Root rot | Wilting, yellowing foliage and black, mushy roots despite wet soil. | Ensure strict soil drainage, avoid overwatering, and plant in raised beds if necessary. |
| Root rot (Pythium / Rhizoctonia) | Sudden collapse and blackening of the plant base due to overwatering. | Improve soil drainage and avoid heavy, wet growing media. |
Making more Brachyscome
Tip Cuttings
- Take 2- to 3-inch softwood tip cuttings in spring or fall from healthy, non-flowering stems.
- Remove the lower leaves, leaving only the top few sets of foliage.
- Insert the cut end into a moist, well-draining propagation mix of perlite and peat.
- Keep the cuttings in a warm, bright location out of direct sun until roots establish in 3 to 4 weeks.
Tip cuttings
- Take 2- to 3-inch cuttings from firm, non-flowering new growth in spring or summer.
- Remove the leaves from the lower half of the stem and dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
- Insert the cutting into a moist, free-draining propagation mix of perlite and peat.
- Keep in a warm, humid environment with bright indirect light until roots establish in 3 to 4 weeks.
Brachyscome questions
How many types of Brachyscome are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 3 distinct Brachyscome varieties. The most popular — ranked by 21 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Brachyscome grow in?
Across its varieties, Brachyscome covers USDA Zones 8–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Brachyscome bloom?
Most Brachyscome varieties bloom in spring, late spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Brachyscome should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.