Daisy
Bellis perennis · Asteraceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant daisy: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Flowering
- March to November, peak in spring
- Mature size
- 4 to 6 inches tall, 6 to 8 inches spread
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- -4 °F
- Origin
- Europe, Asia Minor
- Soil type
- Humus-rich, well-draining
Care
Watering
Keep the soil regularly moist but without waterlogging. Water from below preferably to avoid leaf diseases. During dry periods, increase watering frequency; in winter, reduce it gradually.
Light exposure
Choose a sunny to partially shaded location. The daisy tolerates partial shade but flowers more abundantly in sunlight. It even handles semi-shaded lawn conditions well.
Pruning and maintenance
Pinch back the tips of young plants to encourage branching. After summer flowering, remove spent flowers to stimulate new buds. In late winter, clean up dead foliage.
Fertilizer
Apply a balanced diluted fertilizer every 15 days during the growing season (March to October). A well-established plant in a rich bed or lawn needs little additional feeding.
Soil
Prepare quality potting soil mixed with well-decomposed compost. The daisy prefers slightly acidic to neutral, humus-rich soil. Ensure perfect drainage to prevent root rot.
Diseases and pests
Watch for powdery mildew in warm, humid weather. Aphids and spider mites may appear. Promote air circulation by avoiding excessive watering. Remove affected parts as soon as they appear.
Did you know?
The daisy gets its name from the word 'Easter' (Pâques): it traditionally flowers around Easter time in Europe. Long ago, young girls would pick its flowers and count the petals while chanting 'he loves me, a little, a lot, passionately, madly, not at all'. This simple flower inspired Flemish painters and symbolizes innocence in the language of flowers.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- SunflowerHelianthus annuus
- YarrowAchillea millefolium
- Ox-eye daisyLeucanthemum vulgare
- SneezewortAchillea ptarmica
- Canadian goldenrodSolidago canadensis
- WormwoodArtemisia absinthium
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.