As a summer flowering garden annual Argyranthemum frutescens has a remarkable history. Although this variety kept breeders in various countries busy over the years, this never before resulted in a Fleuroselect award. This changed in 2006. With Argyranthemum frutescens 'Molimba Mini White', the assortment has gained a very compact bushy daisy that flowers continuously during the summer months and of which the silver grey foliage does not yellow. The Fleuroselect panel of judges unanymously considered 'Molimba Mini White' worthy of a Gold Medal 2006.
In detail
Argyranthemum frutescens originates from the Canary Islands and Madeira. The plant is bred and grown all over the world. The nomenclature of Argyranthemum frutescens is slightly confusing. A well-known and still used synonym is Chrysanthemum frutescens. The chrysanthemum is part of the compositae. Although Argyranthemum was considered a composite for a long time, at closer inspection botanists decided that Argyranthemum belonged with the asteracea, the genus of the asters. Argyranthemum is known under a wide range of popular names. In English this plant is called Marguerite Daisy, Paris Daisy, Boston Daisy or Cobbity Daisy and in Australia the name Federation Marguerite Daisy is also used frequently. In the Netherlands and Germany it is often referred to as the 'Bushy Daisy'. That name is usually given to the traditional white Argyranthemum frutescens in pot, whether it is a standard plant or not. The award-winning Argyranthemum frutescens 'Molimba Mini White' is close to the 'traditional' bushy daisy. The 3 cm large flowers of this variety are also white with a yellow heart. However, as the name already reveals, its height is limited. This mini daisy with noticeably short flower stems grows to approximately 25 cm in height and 45 cm in diameter. This compact growth is achieved without using any growth regulator. 'Molimba Mini White' is suitable for container sizes 9 cm. and 10.5 cm. In these containers it can also be used as a houseplant. For outdoors use this small daisy is mainly intended as a bedding plant. 'Molimba Mini White' is a member of the Molima-seriesch whi includes various different types of plant ranging from small to large. The 'Molimba Mornoe White' is a more or less compact white flowering Argyranthemum frutescens that was already known. However, the new 'Molimba Mini White' can truly be called small. The Fleuroselect judges were so enthusiastic about its compact habit they awarded 'Molimba Mini White' a Gold Medal 2006. Furthermore, the judges were very impressed by the fact that this new variety flowers abundantly all summer and does not have any yellowing of the foliage, which can often be a problem in Argyranthemum.