Growing a Daisy Flower Garden

large white and yellow daisies growing outside

When you mention a daisy flower, most people think of the classic white with yellow center, but daisies grow in many different colors. Daisy flowers are ideal for flower arrangements and are one of the easiest flowers to cultivate especially for beginner gardeners.

Types of Daisy Flowers

Shasta Daisy

African Daisy

Gerbera Daisy

Blue Daisy

Giant Daisy

Sunshine Daisy

Gloriosa Daisy

Painted Daisy

Marguerite Daisy

Prairie Daisy

The Daisy Flower

Daisies are from the plant family asteraceae. The daisy flower resembles a star with petals protruding from a large center. Daisy flowers have long straight stalks which is why they are good for vases. Full sun is ideal for daisy flowers, but they will also tolerate shade. They need little water with extra water only during extended dry periods. Daisies are rarely affected by common diseases and pests such as leaf spots, powdery mildew, caterpillars, beetles or leaf miners. If you do encounter problems treat with insecticidal soap or fungicide.

Planting Daisy Flowers

Daisies can be planted from seed directly into the ground. Mix compost in the garden soil. Plant the daisy seeds in early or mid spring after danger from frost is passed. Cover the seeds lightly with soil and water regularly. You can purchase good quality plants from a nursery or garden center if you don’t want to sow seeds.

Establishing Daisy Flowers

Daisy flowers are fast growing plants, so you should start to see blooms two months after planting. After flowers are established, add fertilizer high in phosphorous. The flowers continue to bloom until the fall. Deadhead throughout the summer to encourage the daisy to bloom until the end of the season. In the fall after the first frost cut the daisy flower stems to two inches above the soil. Add mulch and leaves to protect the roots during the winter.

large group of daisies growing well together

Three Popular Daisy Flowers

The three most popular daisy flowers are the Shasta daisy, African daisy and the Gerbera Daisy. White petals with bright yellow centers are characteristics of the perennial Shasta daisy. The Shasta daisy flowers are three to four inches in diameter, grow three feet tall and spread two feet. This is a perfect daisy to use with others to add contrast in your flower garden.

The African daisy flower is a low growing annual. This daisy comes in beautiful colors such as white, orange, yellow and apricot. Mix African daisy flowers to give your garden bed a colorful palette. African daisies reseed themselves when you let the seeds fall to the ground.

Gerbera daisies, like the African daisies come in a variety of colors. Colors include yellow, deep orange, white, cream, pink, red and violet with gold centers. The Gerbera daisy flower grows 12 to 18 inches and 2 ½ to 4 inches wide. The plant can have either a single or double bloom. The leaves of the Gerbera daisy flower grow 8 to 10 inches long in a 12 inch wide circle around the flower close to the ground.