DAISY FLOWER:
5 Interesting Daisy Facts That Will Make You Laugh:
Daisy is one of the most well-known flowers in the world and exudes freshness, joy, and purity. You usually image traditional white petals with a bright yellow center when you think of daisies, but you might be shocked to hear that there are numerous additional varieties with the same name (think Gerbera daisy or English daisy). The majority of daisy species start blooming in the early summer and continue through the fall. These additional five fascinating tidbits about daisies.
1. Daisies Are Almost Always Growing
Daisy plants are now found on every continent except Antarctica, despite coming from Europe and temperate parts of Asia. They were ultimately transported to Australia and North America as well. Daisy’s profusion is in part owing to their adaptability; they may grow in both wet and dry climes, in sunny or shaded locations, high in the mountains, or on open, grassy fields. In essence, daisies are natural chameleons. Bonus: Since they are related to sunflowers, you can find them growing in environments that are comparable to those of their more substantial yellow relatives.
2. They Have a Meaningful Name
The term “Daes eage,” which translates to “day’s eye” in Old English, is where the popular word “daisy” comes from. Daisies are among the first eyes to open to the morning sun each day because of the way these flowers seal their petals at night and reopen them in the morning.
3. They’re More Than Just a Pretty Face
Of course, daisies are a charming accent to bouquets and centerpieces and provide texture and color to backyard landscaping. Daisies, though, are useful for a lot more than just aesthetic purposes. Most shockingly, daisies can actually be eaten. Pick some daisies from your yard and sprinkle them on top of your salad or cake the next time you’re searching for a distinctive and lovely garnish. Daisies are a fantastic source of vitamin C because they are closely related to artichokes. Daisies also have a lot of therapeutic qualities; they are believed to reduce indigestion, calm coughs, and slow bleeding.
4. Daisies Attract Bees and Other Pollinators
Daisies are a great flower for bees to pollinate, and Shasta daisies in particular are one of their favorites. Bees are particularly drawn to the flower’s flat design because there is plenty of space for them to land on the yellow center and gather pollen and nectar. A daisy’s center also houses hundreds of tiny flowers that come together to form a group known as an inflorescence, which enables bees to effectively gather a lot of food from a single landing.
5. Symbolic Value of Daisies
Daisies are a flower that stands for simplicity, patience, loyalty, and innocence. The traditional white daisy symbolizes modesty, while the more uncommon blue Marguerite daisy suggests openness and harmony. Depending on the variety you select, a bouquet of daisies might be the ideal gift for a variety of events. In addition to their symbolic color, daisies are also April’s natal flower.
Seven Different Daisy Species for Your Flower Garden
There’s a solid reason why daisies are a popular choice for gardening. The flowers are easily recognizable, bright, and simple to grow. They are a staple of both traditional permanent borders and cottage gardens. However, you may not be aware of how broadly the name “daisy” is used. When it comes to selecting daisies to grow in your garden, there is a tonne of alternatives.
1. English Daisy (Bellis perennis)
The common English daisy, Bellis perennis, has a reputation for being a weed that is somewhat merited; in some places, it is even regarded as invasive. Although the species’ blooms have white rays and yellow centers, there are various cultivars that have semi-double and button flowers, like ‘Galaxy Red. Compared to the parent species, these cultivars are both showier and more well-mannered. Despite being hardy in growth zones 4 to 8, English daisies are frequently produced as biennials in warmer climates and as annuals in cooler climates. Particularly the showier cultivars, these low-growing daisies make wonderful ground cover plants.
2. Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)
The National Garden Bureau designated 2013 as the Year of the Gerbera, claiming that gardeners will find the flower’s attractive shape and vibrant colors impossible to resist. And our affection for the species is still strong today. This South African native is a fragile perennial, hardy only in warm areas, unlike some daisies. However, as many florists and brides can confirm, the plants may flourish in a container garden and produce gorgeous cut flowers. African or Veldt daisies, often known as gerbera daisies, can endure full sun in colder climes but prefer early light. To keep water off the leaves and ward off fungus, irrigate the plants at the soil level. Look for the Festival series in a rainbow of colors, or try one of the lush, semi-double types, such as the peach-hued Cartwheel Chardonnay.
3. Marguerite Daisy (Argyranthemum frutescens)
The cobbitty daisy, also known as the Marguerite daisy or Argyranthemum frutescens, is a perennial that does well in zones 8–10 and delights gardeners with its flamboyant yellow, pink, and white color options. Although they won’t bloom again after the winter because they are annuals in all except the warmest growing zones, you will receive a full season of recurring flowers. The spring and fall seasons, when overnight lows are below 75 degrees, are when marguerite daisies bloom at their finest. They will, however, reappear with a fresh burst of blossoms when the autumn rains come if you shear them back in the summer.
4. Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)
The oxeye daisy, Leucanthemum vulgare, is an example of what is regarded as a strong plant in one garden but a weed in another. It is a native flower to Europe, where the plant’s ability to spread widely and resistance to drought makes them pasture pests. As invasive plants, these transient perennials are prohibited in a dozen continental states. Oxeye daisies, however, are appreciated for their three-month bloom period in more subdued environments. If you have a small, well-kept wildflower garden, think about using them there, or let them grow naturally in your cottage garden.
5. Painted Daisy (Tanacetum coccineum)
Tanacetum coccineum, the painted daisy, deserves a place in any cutting garden due to its low maintenance requirements and eye-catching blossoms. If you deadhead the faded blooms, it may even put on a second, smaller display in the fall. It begins flowering in the early summer. Watch attention for aphids and leafminers after the fern-like spring leaves emerge. Try the pale pink variety “Eileen May Robinson” or cultivars like “James Kelway,” both of which are simple to grow from seed.
6. Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum)
The popular Shasta daisy, Leucanthemum x superbum, which takes its common name from the white snow of Mount Shasta in California, was produced by crossing the oxeye daisy with three other wild daisies. From the yellow ‘Banana Cream’ to the frilly, fringed ‘Phyllis Smith,’ the numerous varieties of this daisy give gardeners a variety of appearances for their flower borders. The widely available “Becky” and “Alaska” cultivars resemble the traditional daisy blossom found in many cottage gardens. These plants have a long blooming season, but their best months are June and July. Shasta daisies are low-maintenance, but they don’t like damp feet, and sometimes they won’t come back to the garden after a wet winter. To maintain the plants’ vigor, divide them every two years.
7. Swan River Daisy (Brachyscome iberidifolia)
The swan river daisy is an Australian warm-weather perennial that bears tiny, 1-inch-diameter blooms. However, because of how many and beautiful the flowers are, as well as how well the flower combines with other garden plants, they may act as the focal point of any flower garden. From summer into fall, the plant produces a profusion of lavender, blue, yellow, or white blossoms. The foliage has a delicately textured gray-green color.