Stinking Roger: What You Need to Know About This Uncommon Garden Annual
If you’ve stumbled across the name stinking roger, you might be wondering what exactly this plant is and whether it belongs in your garden. With a name like that, it’s certainly memorable! Stinking roger (Osteospermum calendulaceum) is an annual flowering plant that’s made its way to Hawaii, though it’s not originally from there.
The Basics: What Is Stinking Roger?
Stinking roger is an annual forb, which simply means it’s a soft-stemmed flowering plant that completes its entire life cycle in one growing season. Unlike woody shrubs or trees, this plant stays relatively low to the ground and doesn’t develop thick, woody stems. It belongs to the daisy family, which might give you a clue about its appearance.
Where Does It Grow?
This plant isn’t native to the United States. It’s what botanists call a non-native species that has established itself in Hawaii, where it now reproduces on its own in the wild. While it’s originally from elsewhere (likely South Africa, like many Osteospermum species), it has found a home in Hawaii’s climate.
Should You Grow Stinking Roger?
Here’s the thing about non-native plants: they’re not inherently bad, but they’re also not the best choice if you’re trying to support local wildlife and ecosystems. Since stinking roger isn’t native to North America, it won’t provide the same benefits to local pollinators and wildlife that native plants offer.
If you’re drawn to this plant for some reason, it’s not currently listed as invasive or harmful. However, before adding any non-native species to your garden, consider these native alternatives that could give you similar benefits:
- Native wildflowers in the daisy family
- Local annual flowers that support pollinators
- Indigenous plants that thrive in your specific climate
Growing Conditions and Care
Since specific growing information for Osteospermum calendulaceum is limited, here’s what we can infer based on its classification as an annual forb and its establishment in Hawaii:
- Climate: Likely prefers warm, mild climates similar to Hawaii
- Soil: Probably adaptable to various soil types, as most successful non-native plants are
- Water: Moderate water needs, typical of most annual flowers
- Sunlight: Most likely enjoys full sun to partial shade
The Bottom Line
While stinking roger might sound intriguing (that name certainly sticks with you!), there’s limited information available about this specific species, and it doesn’t offer the ecological benefits that native plants provide. If you’re looking for annual flowers to brighten your garden, consider exploring native options first. They’ll be better adapted to your local climate, support local wildlife, and often require less maintenance once established.
Your local extension office or native plant society can help you discover beautiful native annuals that will thrive in your area and provide much more value to your local ecosystem. After all, the most successful gardens work with nature, not against it!
