Arctotis x hybrida Majec 'Ruby' (Arctotis x hybrida Majec 'Ruby') is a strikingly vivid, warm-season daisy perennial that commands immediate attention with its large, richly colored ruby-red to deep scarlet flower heads held proudly on upright stems above a handsome mound of softly silvery, lobed foliage. The Arctotis genus — known commonly as African Daisy — hails from the sun-baked grasslands and rocky slopes of South Africa, and 'Ruby' brings the inherent toughness, heat tolerance, and vivid floral character of its wild origins into a refined, garden-ready form that performs with outstanding reliability in hot, dry, sunny positions. Each large, showy bloom features the characteristic central disc that adds botanical depth and character to the vivid ruby-red ray petals, creating a bold, high-contrast daisy display of real summer garden presence.This professional-grade 4" plant arrives with a healthy, well-established root system cultivated through professional horticultural practices — ready to establish quickly in a sunny, well-drained position. 'Ruby' excels in hot, dry mixed borders, Mediterranean-style gardens, rock gardens, and sunny container arrangements where its vivid ruby-red flowers and silver foliage create a bold, striking color combination against a wide range of companion plants. It is particularly outstanding combined with silver artemisia, blue salvias, chartreuse grasses, and warm orange or golden companions for richly layered, sun-drenched border compositions of genuine warmth and visual excitement. Large, Vivid Ruby-Red Daisy Blooms: Richly colored ruby-red to deep scarlet flower heads with characteristic central discs are produced in generous succession on upright stems — a bold, vivid, sun-drenched floral display of real summer garden presence that draws immediate attention and sustained admiration. Attractive Soft Silvery Foliage: The softly silvery, lobed leaves provide an elegant, luminous foliage backdrop that creates a beautiful high-contrast setting for the vivid ruby-red blooms — the silver foliage remains ornamentally attractive and distinctively textured throughout the entire growing season. Exceptional Heat & Drought Tolerance: As a South African native, 'Ruby' thrives in hot, dry, sun-baked conditions with minimal supplemental water once established — a tough, reliable, low-maintenance performer for Mediterranean-style, xeriscape, and water-wise garden designs. Prolific Long-Season Bloom: Flowers freely and abundantly throughout summer and into fall, providing months of vivid ruby-red color in sunny borders and containers with regular deadheading to encourage continuous flower production through the warm season. Outstanding Cut Flower: The large, boldly colored blooms make excellent, long-lasting cut flowers for fresh arrangements — 'Ruby' brings the vivid warmth and bold color of the summer garden indoors with real seasonal impact and visual character. These 4" healthy live plants thrive in full sun (6+ hours daily) with well-drained, average to lean soil; excellent drainage is essential — Arctotis dislikes wet feet and will decline in heavy clay or waterlogged conditions. Water moderately during establishment, then reduce to low supplemental irrigation. USDA Hardiness Zones 9–11; grown as a warm-season annual in cooler climates. Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage continuous flowering. Mature height: 12–18 inches; spread: 12–18 inches. Bloom time: summer through fall.
