The Santa Monica Daisy, scientifically known as Lessingia filaginifolia ‘Silver Carpet’, is a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant groundcover that thrives in the Southern California climate. This resilient plant offers an appealing solution for gardeners seeking to conserve water while adding aesthetic value to their landscapes. Its adaptability and minimal care requirements make it a noteworthy choice for a variety of garden designs.
Identifying the Santa Monica Daisy
The Santa Monica Daisy is characterized by its distinctive silver-gray foliage, which provides year-round visual interest. Its leaves are finely textured and often appear woolly or fuzzy, contributing to its “silver carpet” common name. This low-growing plant forms a dense, spreading mat, typically reaching a height of 4 to 12 inches while spreading laterally to cover an area of 2 to 8 feet or more.
During its bloom time, which generally spans from late spring through summer and into fall, the plant produces an abundance of small, daisy-like flowers. These blooms are usually lavender-pink or purple with bright yellow centers, creating a striking contrast against the silvery leaves. The flowers are about 1 inch in diameter and attract pollinators.
Planting the Santa Monica Daisy
The plant prefers full sun exposure, ideally receiving at least six hours of direct sunlight daily, though it can tolerate light or partial shade, especially in hotter inland areas. Well-draining soil is crucial for this plant’s health, as it does not tolerate soggy conditions. It can adapt to a range of soil types, including sandy, loam, clay, and rocky soils.
When planting, prepare the area by loosening the soil and, if necessary, amending heavy clay soils to improve drainage. For groundcover purposes, space individual plants about 18 to 24 inches apart to allow for their spreading habit, which will eventually form a continuous mat. After placing the root ball in the prepared hole, backfill gently with soil and water thoroughly. While drought-tolerant once mature, consistent moisture immediately after planting is beneficial for strong root development.
Caring for Your Santa Monica Daisy
Ongoing care for the Santa Monica Daisy emphasizes its drought-tolerant nature. Once established, it requires infrequent to occasional irrigation, thriving on minimal summer water, particularly in coastal regions. In hotter inland climates, some supplemental summer watering may be needed to maintain its best appearance.
Pruning is generally light and aimed at maintaining the plant’s shape and encouraging continued bloom. Deadheading spent flowers by removing them just above the first set of leaves or a new bud can promote more continuous flowering throughout its long bloom period. To maintain a dense habit or to control its spread, a light shaping or cutting back to the crown after flowering is recommended. The Santa Monica Daisy is generally resilient to pests and diseases.
Landscape Design with Santa Monica Daisy
Its low-growing, spreading nature makes it an excellent choice for groundcover, particularly in larger areas where it can quickly establish a dense mat. It is also highly effective for erosion control on slopes, where its root system helps stabilize the soil.
This plant’s ability to trail over edges makes it suitable for rock gardens, cascading over walls, or along borders. The silver-white foliage provides a strong visual contrast, enhancing the colors of nearby plants and adding textural interest to the garden. It can also serve as a filler plant between larger shrubs or in mixed perennial borders.