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Daisy is the name for several common wildflowers of the family Asteraceae (aster family). The daisy of literature, the true daisy, is Bellis perennis, called in the United States English daisy. This is a low European plant, cultivated in the United States mostly in the double form, with heads of white, pink, or red flowers. The English daisy, which closes at night, has long been considered the flower of children and of innocence. A purple species native to the lower Mississippi basin is called Western daisy (Astranthum or Bellis integrifolium). The common, often weedy, daisy of the United States (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum), called also white, or oxeye, daisy, is native to Europe but naturalized in America. The white daisy is one of the plants named marguerite, but the usual marguerite in cultivation is C. frutescens, a bushy perennial with white or lemon-yellow flowers, native to the Canary Islands and called also Paris daisy.

It is a perennial prostrate herb with small flower head (not larger than 5 cm) that consists of about 20 white ray flowers and numerous yellow disc flowers, growing on the end of the stem. The stem is mostly unbranched and sprouts laterally from a creeping rootstock. The leaves are darkgreen on both sides. The basal and middle leaves are petiolate, obovate to spoon-shaped, and serrate to dentate. The upper leaves are shorter, sessile and borne along the stem. It produces an abundant number of flat seeds without pappus. It spreads also vegetatively by rooting underground stems.

Some of our Favorite Daisies:

Alaska Shasta Daisy Classic white and yellow daisies but with multiple flowers on each stalk. A wave of blooms 18-24" high in early to late summer. Pretty anywhere you put Alaska Shasta Daisies.

Black Eyed Susan Daisy Multitudes of large, golden, daisylike flowers with glistening black centers start blooming in midsummer. These Black-Eyed Susans are one of the few perennials to remain in bloom until frost stops them. Hardy, easily grown plants multiply fast, reach 18-30" tall.

Bold Painted Daisies Perfectly formed sunbursts in brilliant shades of red, pink or white perk up gardens from early to midsummer. A mixture of dazzling blooms with gold centers atop 12-36" stems. Plant 12-18" apart. Bold Painted Daisies have mixed colors.

Clara Curtis Daisy Ideal for sunny garden areas, but will thrive anywhere! Produce pretty pink blooms for long-lasting bouquets midsummer to fall. 15-18" tall.

Crazy Daisy A delightful form of the ever-popular Shasta daisy. Produces a myriad of large, white flowers with petals that are quilled and feathery, giving a frilly look to the blooms. Compact, long-lived Crazy Daisies bloom for several weeks in summer, making them indispensable for borders. Long-lasting in bouquets.

Little Miss Muffet Daisies Dainty white and yellow flowers are a perennial favorite. Easy-to-grow 12-18" tall plants bloom late spring to early summer. Space 12-18" apart for Little Miss Muffet Daisy.

Summer of Love Daisy Collection Spring Hill’s Summer of Love Daisy Collection lets you feel that love again and again for years in your own peaceful garden. Our growers have selected four super groovy varieties of daisylike flowers that shine like a country morning – pretty pink ‘Magnus’ Coneflower, powerful ‘Goldsturm’ Black-eyed Susan, pure white ‘Alba’ Coneflower and brilliant blue ‘Wonder of Staffa’ Aster.

Toto Rudbeckia Classic Black-eyed Susan form, but with jumbo, 3-5" blooms on plants just 6-10" tall! Resistant to harsh weather, Rudbeckia Toto flowers from early summer to frost, giving you plenty of high quality blooms for cutting. Diminutive plants spread 8-12", just right for containers, borders and rock gardens.

Daisy Planting Tips:

To help avoid heat stress from the midday sun, plant your Daisies in the evening or when cloudy. The hole should be dug slightly larger than the rootball in an area protected by temperature extremes. Spread the roots of the Daisy out evenly and work the soil in between them as you firm the planting area. Water the Daisies to settle the soil and add additional media if necessary.

Mulching: Mulch creates a barrier that reduces the chances of soil borne disease and fungus from coming in contact with your daisies, hold moisture in the soil, keeps the roots cool and helps control weed growth. For maximum benefit, mulch the soil around the plant to about a 2 inch depth, keeping it a few inches away from the plants stem.

Watering: Water your Daisies consistently and remember that newly set plants require more water with greater consistency than established plants which have mature root systems and built-up reserves. Water the new plants daily for a week or so and then slowly reduce the watering as the plant becomes established. Do not let the soil stay too wet, root systems need oxygen as much as moisture so make sure to check for moisture levels by digging down into the soil before you water .

Fertilizing: For long lasting Daisies, fertilize in early spring each year with a good natural fertilizer. Properly maintained soil will not need heavy applications of fertilizer. It is suggested that you allow the plants a chance to establish themselves first and then add fertilizer if needed. Weak, floppy stems can result from over-fertilization.

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Leucanthemum
Species: L. vulgare



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