Daisy

All information on this website is copyright Flowers.gs

Common Name

Daisy

Scientific Name

Bellis perennis

Plant Category

Perennial

Location

North and Central Europe

Height

6-12 inches

Width

3-6 inches

Blooming Season

Spring or summer

Plant Habit

Spreading, upright

Color

White, pink or rose

Sun

Full sun

Soil

Rich, well-drained soil

Water

Moderate

Plant Characteristics

Hardy plants. Stalks are generally longer than the leaves. Flowers open at dawn and are visited by many small insects

Usage

Excellent in flower gardens, indoor vases and flower arrangements. Leaves are edible and can be used in salads.

Information

Daisies are one of the most popular flowers and they look simple yet sophisticated. In the language of flowers, they are symbols of innocence. The stems of daisies are smooth and leafless and support a single flower. A daisy is made up of two types of flowers - disk florets and petal-like white ray florets. The upturned flower heads look like single flowers, but actually consist of a number of small, tightly packed individual flowers or 'florets'. This arrangement is a type of inflorescence known as a 'capitulum'. The leaf texture varies and may be smooth or hairy, narrow at the base and slightly lobed. Among the daisy varieties, Shasta daisy and African daisy are the most popular varieties. good easy growing plant for kids to grow.

Growing Tips

Daisies are among the easiest of plants to grow. Start them from seed and they will bloom the second and each following year. Set the plants about 9 to 12 inches apart. Before planting, add generous amounts of manure and compost, so that the soil becomes rich and well-drained. They are hardy plants though. They will readily tolerate poorer soils and partial shade. A little general purpose fertilizer in the early growth stage will help the plants to develop big and strong stalks and leaves. Just before blooming, provide a fertilizer high in Phosphorous to help promote big, bright blooms. Plants should be watered regularly during dry periods.

Common Problems

Daisies are seldom bothered by insects and disease. Generally, these plants do not need insecticides or fungicides. On rare occasion where insects or disease are a problem, treat them with an insecticidal soap or fungicide at the earliest sign of trouble.