Discover phenomenal paper daisies this spring

Through September and early October, magnificent species of paper daisies including Rhodanthe and Schoenia, will colour the Connections Garden in a sea of pink.

These vibrant species are native to Western Australia and the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan is one of the few places visitors can enjoy an exhibit of these flowers on this scale in the east coast.

The native paper daisy display at the Garden was first created in 1995, after the Horticulture team were inspired following a trip to Western Australia. 

It’s now a long-held tradition by the team who see the transformation of the Connections Garden into a carnival of colour every spring. 

“It’s been an incredible experience to see the display develop in our living collection over the past 29 years,” says Grant Burrell, Senior Horticulturalist at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan. 

“Due to a drier autumn and winter season from previous years, the humidity was lower and provided better conditions for germination and plant development this year,” he says. 

The display attracts people from across the state and has become a coveted photo opportunity. The blush-pink curtain of flowers covers over 2,000 metres squared - the size of 1.6 Olympic swimming pools! 

Paper daisies are best grown when following the natural growth cycle, which starts with direct sowing in autumn as the soil cools down. 

The talented horticulture team starts preparation on the soil from late April and then begin sowing the Rhodanthe and Schoenia seeds in early May. 

Large nets are then placed over the garden beds to ensure the younger seedling plants are protected from birds and other local wildlife. Ducks are known to eat the seeds during the early growth stages. 

When the nets are removed in late August to early September, you can expect to see the flowers flourishing, shooting up to half a metre tall!  

After the peak flowering period finishes, the horticulture team will remove the flowers around early to mid-October, using them to mulch other areas of the Garden or put them into compost.  

To learn more about how to grow your own paper daises at home, you can explore the Gardening at Home section and purchase your very own baby paper daisy plants at the Growing Friends Plant Sales.

Experience this special display with an expert guide on a Connections Garden Tour. Tours run every Friday during spring and autumn from the Visitor Centre.

Don't forget to purchase some plants from the Growing Friend Plant Sales at Mount Annan and enjoy a delicious meal and coffee from The Gardens Cafe.