Daisies are the type of flowers that radiate the feeling of summer. Their look is whimsical and straightforward, adding a bohemian flair to any flower arrangement. Daisies are commonly used for weddings when the couple is looking for that rustic appeal. They are also used to celebrate the arrival of a new baby. The use for daisies is not limited to these occasions, though. Daisies are excellent flowers for ‘just because’ summer bouquets. Decorating your home with a vase of fresh daisies brings the summer feeling inside. Just the mere sight of a daisy is enough to make anyone smile.
In this post, we are going to discuss:
* Benefits the daisy
Daisies also make excellent garden plants. They grow about 3′ tall in huge bunches. They are easy to maintain and do not spread into unwanted places. Daisies are absolutely low maintenance perennials. They must be cut back in the fall, but beyond this, they literally need no attention at all. The best part is that since they produce flowers so profusely, you can use them as cut flowers. Snip some flower stalks off the plant, put them in a vase with fresh water, and put them somewhere inside to enjoy. The plant is so full of flowers that you cannot even notice any holes created by cutting off the stalks.
When people think about daisies, most people associate the variety that sports white petals and yellow centers. These are ever-popular and even grow like weeds in some places. If you like those, you may be happy to know there are actually a wide variety of other daisies. Their structures are relatively similar but vary in flower size and color. If you look hard enough, you can find the perfect daisy for any special person in your life.
Types of Daisies by Color
One of the first things a person notices about a flower is its color. Daisies come in such a wide array of types that they are available in just about any color. To help you find the perfect daisy, here are some examples of daisies in every color.
Pink Daisies
Bright carmine daisies are vibrant pink in color with contrasting yellow centers. They show their flowers in late spring are early summer. This daisy is a little shorter than traditional daisies, topping out at 18”. They grow moderately fast as long as they are planted in full sun and receive adequate water.
Marguerite daisies are very similar to bright carmines in terms of growing conditions and height. The main difference is the color of the flowers they produce. Marguerites are a softer pink color with a bulbous pink center.
Orange Daisies
Painted daisies are part of the chrysanthemum genus. They come in many colors, so be sure you are choosing the variety that flowers orange. Painted daisies have shorter flower petals that are quite a bit broader than the common daisy. Their centers tend to be multi-colored, which adds genuine interest to the garden. As a bonus, painted daisies are excellent for attracting butterflies. This plant does best in full sun and requires frequent watering when first planted. Once they are established, watering can be scaled back.
Tiger tail daisies are quite a spectacle in any garden. They produce very rounded flowers that display colors in a range of oranges. The color is the most in-depth close to the center and lightens up as it reaches the edges. The very center of the flower is a purple-pink hue to create a striking color contrast. Tiger tails grow about 2′ tall by about 2′ wide, so they should be planted somewhere in the middle of the garden. This type of daisy can handle some shade, which makes it a versatile plant. Expect blooms to come out in the fall, making for great autumnal interest.
Purple Daisies
Purple coneflower or echinaceas are one of the better known purple daisies. Purple coneflowers are quite a drought-tolerant, which makes them great plants for a low maintenance garden bed. This plant does best in full sun. Purple coneflowers come in different varieties, some growing quite tall. The average shoots reach about 3′ tall, but some types can grow as tall as 6.It is imperative you know what kind of purple coneflower you are planting so you can be sure you have room for it in the garden.
Cape Daisy Purple Illusion
Cape daisies are a flower that people take notice of in the garden. They sport yellow centers with soft purple petals. To add to their beauty, these flowers have a dark purple ring surrounding the centers. In some cooler climates, this daisy can only grow as annuals. This is unfortunate because they need to be replanted every year. However, in these climates, they can remain in flower for the entire growing season. This is a lower growing flower topping out at only 14.
Yellow Daisies
Royal yellow gerbera daisies are perhaps one of the brightest colored flowers you could put in a garden. This is another daisy that may only grow as an annual in cooler climates. However, they can be grown indoors in a pot as long as they are exposed to enough light. They have a good size flower that can stretch almost 5″ across. This plant does best in full sun with sandy soil. They do not care for moist soil, so be careful when growing in mulched garden beds. Unfortunately, gerberas can be susceptible to fungal diseases like crown rot.
Yellow coneflowers are very similar to purple coneflowers, with the apparent difference in flower petal color. Most often, this plant grows to about 3′ tall. Yellow coneflowers prefer full sun but still do well in part shade conditions. They are quite adaptable to many soils, so that is not much of a concern for this plant. Coneflowers are native to North America, so are considered pollinator plants that attract honey bees and butterflies.
If you are interested in bringing cheerful flowers to your garden, consider planting daisies. There are so many varieties out there you can surely find the right one for your landscape.