Daisy flowers are vibrant, cheerful, and easy to grow, making them a proven choice for gardens. Stunning, reliable bloomers, both in the garden and as cut flowers, daisies are hardy, drought-tolerant plants that provide years of gorgeous, classic charm.
This star-shaped flowering plant can be either annual or a perennial and comes in a variety of colors from bright white to the most electrifying shades of pinks, purples, and yellows. These low-maintenance, iconic garden plants of Summer, will reward you with endless blooms throughout the summer and well into the Fall.
Soil Composition and pH
Daisies prefer rich fast-draining soil, plenty of water, and ample sunshine. Healthy soil means healthy roots for your daisies, so it’s best to put the time in to amend the soil in your garden before planting. Use a mix of organic matter, including sand, peat moss, and manure compost, to create an ideal growing environment for strong plants with showy blooms. Daisies thrive in soil that is neutral to slightly acidic ideally, with soil measuring 6.0-8.0 on the pH scale.
Daisy Planting Guidelines
Daisies, just like their cheerful appearance would suggest, are sun-loving plants. Plant them in full sun for the best and most rewarding blooms all season long. Perennial daisies are easy to grow from seed, root division, or plants purchased from your local nursery. They are also great to separate at the root ball to share your artful bloomers with friends and neighbors.
Grow from seed: Plant your daisy seeds early Spring. Seeds can be sown directly into the garden or started in covered seed containers indoors. Plant your seeds in the soil about 1/8 inch deep. You can expect them to germinate in 10-20 days. Daisy plants will bloom the following year after one season’s growth.
Planting rooted plants: Dig a hole that is twice the diameter of the pot in came in. Then place the plant in the hole, using care to ensure that the top of the root ball is flush with the surface of the soil. Loosely fill in the rest of the hole
Watering and Feeding Daisies
Water daisy plants during dry spells as they send up flower buds as well as during their entire blooming time. If flower stems dry out and droop, they might not fully recover. Water daisies amply at the base of the plant to avoid mold and sun damage to tender petals. Apply an all-purpose organic fertilizer early in the season to promote strong, sturdy growth.
Common Daisy Pests
Daisies are generally low maintenance perennials. At times they can be adversely impacted by aphids, slugs, and earwigs. As a gardener, you can combat these destructive pests by planting companion plants in the garden bed. The best way to deter pests in your garden is to start with healthy plants and to maintain them with good overall care. Water daisies properly so they don’t oversaturate or dry out and ensure adequate air circulation with proper spacing.
Pruning and Overall Care
Trim off blooms as they fade. Deadheading these blooming beauties encourages repeated flowering. Removing spent flowers also minimizes mold growth on decaying flowers.
Keep root systems from getting too big and overcrowding each other, which will lead to a decline in the daisy plant over time. As daisy plants get very large, dig them up in clumps every other year in the Fall. Divide the root balls with a slice from a sturdy garden shovel and cut away the thick woody center. Then replant the separated plants with a spacing of 10-12 inches per section.
Prepare perennial daisies for winter by cushioning mulch loosely around each daisy plant. Use extra taking not to cover the leaves.
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Recommended Daisy Varieties
There are far more varieties than the traditional daisy to choose from, and they all add their unique flair to a garden bed. Mix and match these varieties into your perennial garden, and with minimal care, these cheerful bloomers will be showstoppers in your garden.
- Osteospermum, Blue Eyed Beauty provides prolific plants that produce stunning flowers with yellow petals and stunning purple centers that bloom all summer long.
- Shasta Crazy Daisy stands out from the crowd by boasting it’s frilly 3-inch blooms which add cheer and texture to a perennial garden.
- Echinacea, Pink Shimmer boasts 3-5inch bright pink blooms and are tall distinctive border plantings that shine among its perennial counterparts.
- Painted Daisy plants produce tall plants with feathery leaves and an array of vibrant, colorful blooms and are a great addition to your cutting garden.
- Marguerite Daisy is a thrill for gardeners as it blooms in blazing yellow, magentas and pinks. These annual daisies are annual plantings that are repeat bloomers that will put on a show in your garden all season long.
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