Home gardeners everywhere are growing daisies from seed or division. The simple white flowers with yellow button centers stand tall, gracing our landscapes with abundant blossoms, long after other flowers are fading away (see our article Summer Flowers for Color to learn more).
Beautiful both in the garden and as cut flowers, daisies (Bellis perennis) are hardy, drought-tolerant,and provide years of gorgeous, old-fashioned blossoms. Unique African annual varieties come in a multitude of intriguing colors.
The popular Shasta daisy, a good variety for high altitude, low water locations, is probably what most people think of when they think daisy. This hardy classic perennial stands 2-3 feet tall.
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Daisy Seeds
Everyone loves daisies! Easy to grow and beautiful both in the garden and as cuttings.
Eric Vinje founded Planet Natural with his father Wayne in 1991, originally running it as a grasshopper bait mail-order business out of a garage.
Eric is now retired, but is still a renowned gardener known for his expertise in composting, organic gardening and pest control, utilizing pesticide-free options, such as beneficial insects.
Eric believes when you do something good for the environment, the effects will benefit generations to come.
Heirloom flowers — the ones that Grandma used to grow — will stir memories with their abundant blossoms and arousing scents. Planting instructions are included with each seed packet and shipping is FREE!​
Quick Guide: Planting, Growing & Caring for Daisies
- Simple easy-care plant
- Propagate from seed, local nursery stock, or find a friend who needs to divide their plants
- Need full sun and average soil, though better soil produces healthier plants
- Plant just before the last frost — cold hardy
- Bloom early summer through fall
- Long-lasting as cut flowers
Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
Maturity:Â 90-120 days from seed to flower
Height:Â 24 to 36Â inches
Spacing:Â 12 to 24Â inches apart in all directions
Site Preparation
Daisies like rich, fast draining soil, ample water and plenty of sunshine. However, they are very adaptable and will tolerate poor soil conditions and partial shade. Work some well-aged animal manure or organic compost into the soil to help promote abundant blooms. Read our article How to Prepare Garden Soil for Planting here.
How to Plant
Easy to grow from seed, division or nursery stock. Plant directly into the soil 1/8 inch deep when a light frost is still possible. Seeds will germinate in 10-20 days and plants will bloom the following year – after one season’s growth. Apply an organic all-purpose fertilizer early in the season to promote strong, sturdy growth. Prior to blooming, switch to a bud and bloom booster high in phosphorus to promote spectacular flowers.
Remove the spent flowers, or use them as cuttings in flower arrangements to extend the flowering season into the fall. Plants should be cut down to the ground in late fall.
Insect & Disease Problems
Insects and disease are not typically a problem with daisies. However, keep an eye out for slugs and snails and treat with diatomaceous earth or other natural pest control methods, if necessary.
Foliage and flowers are also susceptible to several diseases such as gray mold, powdery mildew and Verticillium wilt, which will disfigure leaves and flowers. To reduce plant diseases:
- Avoid overhead watering whenever possible
- Properly space plants to improve air circulation
- Apply organic fungicides to prevent further infection
Seed Saving Instructions
Daisies are heavy seed producers. When the flowers dry out, cut them off and hang upside down in bundles. The seeds are contained in the heads between the spikes. Once the heads are dry, they can be hand-crushed and the seed winnowed from the chaff. Learn more about saving heirloom flower seeds here.
Eric Vinje founded Planet Natural with his father Wayne in 1991, originally running it as a grasshopper bait mail-order business out of a garage.
Eric is now retired, but is still a renowned gardener known for his expertise in composting, organic gardening and pest control, utilizing pesticide-free options, such as beneficial insects.
Eric believes when you do something good for the environment, the effects will benefit generations to come.
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2 Responses to “Daisy”
My property has a large patch of daisy about 6 feet long by 2 feet wide and they bloomed every year and only lasted for about 5 weeks before they
die out. I cut them back about a foot and saved the heads for seeds. I have not fertilized them ever. My main question is can I use the seeds to
grow more and how do I do it. How can I make them last longer ? I would appreciate an answer at your convince.. I am 81 and no gardening experience.
Respectfully, Joe Grace 8/28/2017
Hello Eric, It looks fantastic! I love how you edged the garden with colorful flowers. I have been thinking about doing this in my own front garden. The colors you choose for both the accessories and garden flowers are pretty amazing. It is such a cheery and relaxing place. Thanks and keep posting.