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nancyk
March 30, 2018
By Linda Hartman - Victoria County Master Gardener
Edited by Charla Borchers Leon
PHOTOS BY VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER/CHARLA BORCHERS LEON
These Snow Lady Shasta Daisies are blooming in the flower bed of Dolores Tyng in Victoria. She brought them from a nursery in Houston and planted them in her front yard more than 30 years ago. They have continued to bloom each year since then in beds that line her front walkway, although she notes they are noticeably thinned out this year as a result of Hurricane Harvey last fall.
Multiple blooms of Shasta daisies, with pure white petals and yellow disc centers like shown here, can be grouped with roses or other bright blooming plants in a landscaped bed. They not only can make a real statement in presentation, but will come back each spring and bloom through fall. They make beautiful cut flowers that last an extended time in an arrangement or vase.
This Sweet Daisy Jane variety palnt available this week at a local garden center has its first bud of the season preparing to open. It will grow well local in direct sun or partial shade with well-drained soil, blooming through the summer into the fall. These plants should be planted 1-2 feet apart as they will spread each year.
Plants
1. Loosen soil to 12-15 inches deep.
2. Add 2-4 inches of compost or mulch to prevent weeds.
3. Space plants 1-2 feet apart, remembering daisies spread each year.
4. Make hole for new plant double the size of the container.
5. Place root ball level with the surface of the soil.
6. Fill in the hole and water thoroughly.
Seeds
1. Daisy seeds are available from gardening centers and catalogs.
2. After planting seeds, blooms do not appear until next growing season.
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
The Shasta Daisy is a prolific blooming perennial with white petals and yellow centers from spring through fall. It grows wild in fields as well as planted in landscaped beds in numerous varieties with petals of varying shapes and colors.
Easily identified. Stands tall. Nods in the wind. Brings a smile. Attracts birds. Loved by all.
Shasta daisies have long been a favorite perennial of gardeners for many reasons.
Daisies:
1. naturalize.
2. attract birds and bees.
3. are great cut flowers.
4. are considered to be low-maintenance flowers.
5. can be grown through propagation, seeds or division.
6. are deer-resistant.
Daisies are easily recognized by their pure white petals, yellow disk florets and glossy green leaves on a straight stem of about 14 or more inches in height. When grouped with blue, pink or purple bellflowers; daylilies; phlox; and other colorful blossoms, daisies will make a definite statement in one’s garden. The Shasta daisy grows best in full sun or partial shade in rich well-drained soil.
According to one source, the daisy was bred from a small white wildflower found growing in the mountains between France and Spain. Daisies were found in Egyptian temple gardens as long ago as 2200 B.C. It was grown for herbal and medicinal properties. King Henry VIII of England relied on eating daisies to treat his stomach ulcers and his gout. Daisies were also used to treat wounds and fever. Shasta daisies were created by American horticulturist Luther Burbank, who was inspired by the wild ox-eye daisies found in New England. In 1901, after much effort, he introduced a mixed selection of Shasta daisy hybrids. His goal was to create the perfect white daisy with yellow center.
Suggested seasonal tasks result in prolific Shasta daisies.
Daisies are low-maintenance, but watch for aphids, slugs, nematodes, earwigs, stem rot and leaf spot that could attack your plants. Drip irrigation and sunshine assist with the growth of healthy Shasta daisies.
If rainfall is less than an inch a week, water your daisies. Every spring, apply compost and mulch for weed control. Every three to four years, divide the daisies in early spring or late, late summer (September or October for our zone) and share with your friends.
Shasta Daisy Luna has double flowers, which begin with a glowing yellow followed by a two-tone yellow and ends with a flourish of white petals. This daisy is recommended for zones 5-9.
There are numerous varieties of daisies, such as Cobham Gold, Horace Reed and Snow Lady. Dr. William Welch recommends Little Miss Muffet in his book “Perennial Garden Color.” One might also look for Alaska Shasta Daisy, Becky Shasta Daisy, Banana Cream Shasta Daisy, Red Shasta Daisy or, my favorite name, Crazy Daisy Shasta. The National Gardening Association database lists 60 varieties of Shasta daisies.
With an abundance of flowers, cutting the daisies for arrangements will not detract from your garden. These lovely blooms have a long vase life. They are thought of as the floral archetype and are often the first thing children learn to draw.
Daisies are everywhere — on clothing, on dishes, on jewelry, on art, in wedding bouquets or perhaps in a chain of daisies in your hair. There is even a line of soaps available named Shasta Daisy Soaps. There are so many types of daisies that there is sure to be one to suit every taste.
Daisies symbolize purity, innocence and loyalty. This flower can be found growing wild on grassy fields and could likely be cradling hidden Easter eggs during this weekend’s egg hunts. Favorites for Easter are Shasta daisies and the bright, colorful Gerbera daisies.
“Daisy, buttercup, yellow cowslip together mix in fellowship.”
– Brian Strand
The Gardeners’ Dirt is written by members of the Victoria County Master Gardener Association, an educational outreach of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Victoria County. Mail your questions in care of the Advocate, P.O. Box 1518, Victoria, TX 77901; or vcmga@vicad.com, or comment on this column at VictoriaAdvocate.com.
ph: 361-935-1556
nancyk