Daisy Growing Guide
There are more than 20,000-kinds of daisy flowers, which are in the Aster (Asteraceae) family. Often included as daisies are coneflowers and Black-eyed Susans. Some daisy species are wildflowers native to North America and Europe, which tend to be perennials and some are from Africa, which are annuals.
Daisies are herbaceous plants with composite flowers. The center is a cluster of many small yellow flowers and is surrounded by petals, which are usually white, but may be pink or red depending on variety. Some varieties are considered an invasive weed. Daisies attract butterflies and other pollinators. They also tolerate deer and rabbits.
Covered on this page are the varieties you are likely to find in a garden center.
English Daisy
English daisy (Bellis perennis) is a common European species of daisy. It has a low growth height up to 6-inches high. It is an herbaceous perennial suitable for USDA zones 4 to 8. The common daisy flowers are white with yellow centers, but the ‘Tasso Red’ variety is red and ‘Habanera Rose’ is pink.
In some areas they are considered a lawn weed with its low growing habit that survives the lawn mower. Deadhead the flower as soon as it fades by pinching or cutting off the flower stem below the flower and the first set of leaves. This will prevent the spread of seeds and to encourage the plant to make more flowers.
Oxeye Daisy
Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare) means "common white flower" which originated from Europe and is now found throughout North America. It has a tall growth height up to 36-inches high. The daisy flower is the familiar yellow center surrounded by white petals that are 1 to 3-inches in diameter. It is an herbaceous perennial suitable for USDA zones 3 to 8.
This variety has a creeping rhizomatous root system that sends up new shoots. Some states prohibit the planting of Oxeye Daises, so check before planting. The cut flowers when placed in a vase can last up to 2-weeks.
Shasta Daisy
Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum) is another popular herbaceous perennial that will be suitable for USDA zones 5 to 9. It sports the familiar white petals surrounding a yellow center.
They are named for Mount Shasta in California and is a cross of the Oxeye Daisy and three other wild Daisies. The ‘Snowcap’ variety is medium height typically 14 to 18-inches high. Another Shasta Daisy ‘Becky’ variety is tall height typically 36 to 48-inches high.
Gerbera Daisy
Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) has many common names such as; African Daisy, Transvaal Daisy and Gerber Daisy. Gerbera Daisies are a perennial native to South Africa. They can be grown as perennials in USDA zones 8 to 12 and as annuals in colder zones.
These medium height varieties can reach 12 to 18-inches with blooms of 3 to 4-inches. The yellow central disk is surrounded by petals that can be white, yellow, orange, red or pink.
Starting from Seed
Seeds can be started indoors 6 to 8-weeks before your last expected frost date or you can direct sow daisies in your flower garden in the late spring to early summer. Sow thinly and cover with 1/8-inch of soil. Water your seeds daily to insure proper seed germination. The perennial varieties bloom the second spring from seed.
For more detailed information visit the seed starting page.
You can direct sow in your flower garden from the late spring to early summer. A large mass planting makes an impressive floral display.
Planting
They should be planted in the late spring after the last expected frost.
Plant them 18 to 24-inches apart or in groups of 3 or 5 behind other shorter plants. Dig a hole as deep as the pot and twice as wide. To the soil you just removed add the same amount of good garden soil so you have a nice blend of new and native soil.
Take the plant out of the pot and gently loosen the root ball pulling away any roots that have grown in a circle around the sides and bottom of the pot.
Place the root ball in the hole with the growing crown of the daisy even with or an inch higher than the surrounding soil. Gently spread out the roots and back fill the hole around the root ball leaving a shallow depression around your plant. Fill the depression with water to settle the soil around the roots adding more soil if necessary and water again. Water daily tapering off as the roots grow and get established.
Dividing Your Plants
After many years the center of the mature plant may die out, leaving the newer growth from the rhizomes. It usually becomes most apparent after a hard frost hits and the center becomes visible.
Doing the divisions every 3 to 5-years helps to rejuvenate the plant. To help prevent the spread of disease you should disinfect your garden tools and knife with a 10% bleach solution.
In the early spring about 4 to 6-weeks before the last frost date occurs and before growth begins, you can divide the clump into two, three or four sections.
Some gardeners will use a knife or a shovel to slice off a portion of the plant. A better way is to dig up the entire plant. Now you can see what you have. If you wash the soil off of the roots the entire rhizome and root structure can be seen.
Examine the rhizomes for the eyes or growing buds and carefully try to break it apart with your hands and then tease the roots apart. If necessary use a knife to separate the rhizomes.
You will now have more new plants that are identical to each other to replant or give away.
Watering and Care
Daisies are low maintenance and easy to care for. All you need to do is add a layer of mulch to help retain moisture and keep out competing weeds. They should get an inch of water each week and during dry spells give some water to keep the soil moist. They usually do not need any fertilizer, but a light side dressing of organic fertilizer can be placed around the plant in the spring.
After your daisies are established, dig up the clump every 3 to 4-years to avoid overcrowding. Separate the plants from the clump into individuals and replant in groups of 3 to 5-plants in another area.
Diseases and Pests
Daisies have no serious insect or disease problems.
Popular Daisy Varieties
English daisy (Bellis perennis), Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum), Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)
Sources: Burpee, Eden Brothers, Park Seed
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