The many faces of daisies
Posted in Plants, Trees & Shrubs,Annuals
colored of the annual "daisies."
Much of the flower world is called a daisy. But what is a daisy, really? Daisies include a dozen or more different genera, many with numerous species and cultivars. Some of them are tender annuals in most of the United States; others, especially the weeds (dandelion and English daisy), are perennials hardy enough to survive even a Maine winter.
Daisy flowers are characterized by a central disc of minute but complete flowers – usually yellow, but sometimes blue, purple, brown or black. One or many rings of ray flowers, or "petals," border the disc. Together, the disc and petals are called a flowerhead. Generally, daisies grow best in full sun with well-drained soil.
Some varieties include potted greenhouse daisies (Gerbera jamesonii), old-fashioned Shasta or garden daisies (Leucanthemum), oxeye or marguerite daisies (“she-loves-me, she-loves-me-not” daisy), painted daisies (Tanacetum), and Montauk daisies (Nipponanthemum).
Here are some other daisy options to consider for your garden.
Annuals
- Marguerite daisy a.k.a. summer daisy (Argyranthemum). A popular summer container plant, these have lobed or cut leaves, often bluish-green, and produce white, yellow, or pink ray flowers encircling a central yellow disc. 15"-18" tall. Do not confuse with lavender blue marguerite (Felicia amelloides).
- Transvaal daisy a.k.a. African daisy (Gerbera). Showy gerbera daisies are popular cut flowers but also sell as greenhouse annuals. Flowers come in white and an array of reds, pinks, purples, oranges, and yellows. 12” – 18” tall.
- Swan River daisy (Brachyscome). With smaller flowerheads than Marguerite daisy, but with similar often dissected foliage. The pink, white or lavender flowers also have more of a pinwheel look. 10"-12" tall.
- African daisy a.k.a. jewel daisies (Arctotis). Wide-petaled flowerheads bloom in a rainbow of colors, except blue. Leaves are silvery-gray, wooly beneath. 18" – 24" tall.
- Cape daisy a.k.a. trailing African daisy (Osteospermum). Similar and also hailing from South Africa, this annual has a trailing growth habit, grayish green leaves, and soft blue, soft orange or bicolored flowerheads with blue, black, or purple discs. 2' – 5' tall.
- English daisy (Bellis perennis) (Caution). From Europe, this common daisy prefers cool summers and - warning - has become a noxious weed in lawns. Its white, pink, red, or rosy flowerheads may be single or double. Usually grown as a biennial. 10" – 12"tall.
"daisy" and has the classic white petals around
a central yellow disc.
Perennials
- Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum × superbum). Probably the best known perennial daisy, Shasta daisy bears heads with classic white petals surrounding a yellow central disc held well above the foliage in summer. 1'-3' tall. Zones 3-8.
- Nippon a.k.a. Montauk daisy (Nipponanthemum nipponicum). One of the last to bloom perennials, these shrubby plants, produces white petals around a green disc. 3' – 5' tall. Zones 5 – 9.
- Painted daisy a.k.a. pyrethrum (Tanacetum coccineum). This early summer bloomer has delicate-looking feathery leaves beneath yellow-centered, red, pink or white heads 3" across. Source of the insecticide pyrethrum. 2' – 3' tall. Zones 3 – 7.
- Tatarian daisy (Aster tataricus). This late-blooming aster from Siberia produces clouds of yellow-centered blue purple daisies each about 1" across. A butterfly magnet. 4' – 6' tall. Zones 4 – 8.
- Globe daisy (Globularia). Low-growing and evergreen, globe daisy is at home in rock gardens. The 1" daisy-like flowers are usually lavender/blue, white, or pink. 3" – 6" tall. Zones 5 – 8.
- Oxeye daisy or Marguerite daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare) (Caution). Sometimes called a “wild daisy” because it readily seeds itself crossing the line from wildflower to invasive. Blooms in late spring to early summer with 1" white-rayed, yellow-eyed flowerheads on tough stems.1' – 3' tall. Zones 3 – 9.
