On recent trips to Longwood Gardens, I’ve photographed several types of osteospermums or African Daisies. Osteospermums are members of the Aster family – and look like other members of that family. They have daisy-like petals.

What is wonderful about the osteospermums I’ve seen at Longwood Gardens and at local nursuries is all the wonderful color variations that are available.

Here are a few of the one’s I’ve photographed recently.

I love the shape of the petals on the Sunscape Osteopermum (namugua cultivator).

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

The petals of the  Orange Symphony Osteospermum remind me of the color of orange sherbet.

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

The underside of the petals of the Sparkler Osteospermum are silver!

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

These Lemon Symphony Osteopermums were planted next to a plant with purple leaves  which provide a wonderful contrasting backdrop for the yellow flowers.

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

And finally the Oste Whiteytwo Osteopermums (ecklonis cultivator) which are just a simply beautiful white flower.

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins