Top 5 Varieties of Daisies and How to Make Them Thrive

Cheerful, resilient and stunning daisies are a perennial popular garden flower for many reasons. Did you know that there’s more to them than the standard white-petaled daisy? From vivid hues to delicate shapes, the varieties of daisies include a range of blooming times, appearances and levels of maintenance. If you’re planting them in borders, containers or in meadows with wildflowers, this guide will walk you through five well-known types and give you essential strategies to help them grow.

What Are the Most Popular Varieties of Daisies?

The varieties of daisies that you see in your garden and professional landscapes all have distinct characteristics. Some are neat and compact, while others sprawl out across meadows. Here are five types each flower lover must know and think about to plant in their outdoor space.

1. Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum)

Appearance: An imposing, upright plant that features classic white petals with bold yellow centers. Shasta daisies give a sharp and clean appearance that works with almost any style of landscape.

Care Tips:

• The best conditions are full sun and moderately moist and well-drained soil.
• Regular deadheading encourages blooming into late summer.
• Divide clumps every 2 – 3 years to avoid overcrowding and to ensure that the plant is blooming consistently.
• It can tolerate light dryness once established, making it a great choice for gardeners with low maintenance.

Shasta daisies are perfect for the sunny borders of cutting paths and gardens, with their tidy growth habits and long blooming period provide structure and attractiveness.

2. Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)

Appearance: Well-known for its vivid colours and the large, daisy-like flowers, Gerbera daisies are one of the most popular flowers for florists. It is available in pink, red, yellow and orange, as well as bi-colours. It is an instant source of energy.

Care Tips:

• It requires 6 hours of sunshine throughout the day, with morning sun and afternoon shade in hot climates.
• A well-drained, nutritious soil, and constant water.
• Aerate the soil at the base to avoid mould and rot, particularly when it is grown in containers.
• Plants are great for indoors in a sunny window.

Gerbera daisies bring a bold hue to garden containers, raised beds and floral arrangements. They’re ideal for gardeners, wanting to add a splash of colour with little effort.

3. Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)

Appearance: A charming wildflower with a simple white-petal-and-yellow-center look, the Oxeye daisy has a more natural, rustic feel than cultivated varieties.

Care Tips:

• It is able to thrive in poor, sandy or rocky soils and requires only minimal care.
• It thrives in full sun but will tolerate some shade.
• If not properly managed, it spreads quickly, which is why it is ideal for meadows that are natural or open areas.
• Cut back the flowering area after it has finished to stop reseeding excessively.

The Oxeye is an ideal choice to rewild spaces, or for gardeners who love wild natural landscapes.

4. African Daisy (Osteospermum)

Appearance: Bold and unique, African daisies offer velvety and jewel-toned flowers in purple blues, oranges and whites. The centers are typically visually appealing and often be reminiscent of sunbursts.

Care Tips:

• Best suited for temperatures that are cool and with full sun.
• It requires a well-drained soil and must not be overwatered.
• Deadheading regularly will prolong the blooming time.
•  Pinch back in early growth stages to encourage bushier plants  
  These flowers are ideal for modern container gardens where their vivid colour and unique flower structure make them stand out.

5. A Painted Daisy (Tanacetum coccineum)

Appearance:  A single of the most beautiful kinds, Painted daisies feature bright pink or red petals that are surrounded by golden centers. The foliage is fern-like, and delicately textured, which adds to the aesthetic worth.

Care Tips:

• The best soil is a full sun with fertile soil that drains well and is enriched with compost.
• A great companion planter because it can deter beetles and aphids.
• Reduce the amount of flowers after the first blooming cycle in order to encourage a new cycle of flowers.
• Make sure to plant taller varieties so that you can avoid falling in windy places.

Daisies that are painted are ideal to border gardens or cottage gardens. They also work well for vegetables that are prone to pests due to their natural repellent qualities.

How to Help All Varieties of Daisies Thrive

Whatever varieties of daisies you select, certain fundamental principles will help them grow and maximise their bloom potential. These guidelines are applicable to all varieties and are useful whether you’re cultivating the flowers in containers, flower beds or meadows.

• Sunlight: Daisies require at minimum 6 hours direct sun each day to thrive and remain fit and healthy.
• Soil: Drainage is vital. Re-do the soil of heavy clay by adding compost or sand. This will stop waterlogging.
• Watering: The best way to water your plants is to do it at least once a week, based on the rainfall. Avoid frequent, shallow watering that encourages rooting at the surface.
• Feeding: A general-purpose fertiliser for flowers applied every month during the growing season may improve the quality of flowers and improve the health of foliage.
• Deadheading: Eliminating flowers that have been used helps keep the plant tidy and promotes the growth of new blooms.
• Spacing: Create sufficient space to allow the flow of air, which aids in preventing fungal and mildew diseases.

With these helpful tips, your selected varieties of daisies will give you beautiful, long-lasting blooms that last for years and require minimal care.

Final Thoughts

There’s no standard size that fits all with regards to daisies. Every one of the renowned varieties of daisies each has its own distinct appeal and function for the gardens. You may be drawn to the traditional Shasta or the bold Gerbera or the insect-fighting Painted daisy plants can transform your garden into a vibrant and low-maintenance oasis.

We at Morning Flowers believe that every flower tells a story. Alongside daisies, we celebrate the splendour of nature’s finest blooms, from exquisite roses and the elegant pussy willow,  air purifying spider plant and vibrant flowers such as carnations. If you’re seeking different colours, our guide to various shades of tulips will assist you in choosing the perfect tone for each situation and mood.

Explore our blogs on floral design as well as seasonal selections to add more beauty to your garden and home, one flower at an time.