Marlborough Rock Daisy Plant Care

Marlborough Rock Daisy (Pachystegia insignis) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Pachystegia genus. Marlborough Rock Daisy is native to New Zealand. Marlborough Rock Daisy is also known as White Rock Daisy, Aster insignis, Olearia insignis.

Marlborough Rock Daisy displays a low rosette, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Marlborough Rock Daisy produces small daisy-like flowers in white or purple clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Marlborough Rock Daisy every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Marlborough Rock Daisy thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Pachystegia insignis tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Marlborough Rock Daisy prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Marlborough Rock Daisy to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Marlborough Rock Daisy every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Marlborough Rock Daisy is suited to USDA Zone 8b – 10b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Marlborough Rock Daisy can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Marlborough Rock Daisy while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Marlborough Rock Daisy is hardy down to USDA zone 8b, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Marlborough Rock Daisy can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Marlborough Rock Daisy is susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Marlborough Rock Daisy grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8b – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8b. Marlborough Rock Daisy is native to New Zealand.