Shasta Daisy
Shasta daisies are short-lived perennials. They are excellent for containers, cut flowers and attracting numerous pollinators!
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New: Alaska New: Sliver Princess |
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Leucanthemum superbum |
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Easy |
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Intermediate |
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3 years if properly stored |
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Perennial |
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10-12 days |
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Alaska: 2-3′ Sliver Princess: 12” tall with 18” spread |
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Need light to germinate Full sun |
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Summer-Fall |
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February, March, April, May |
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No |
Shasta Daisy, Alaska
Growing Tips
When to Start
Start indoors: 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. (End of February/March for GA.)
Transplant: After hardening off and all danger of frost has passed. (May 1 for Jefferson, GA)
Direct Sow: After the danger of frost has passed. (May 1 for Jefferson, GA)
How to Grow
To start indoors, start 6-8 weeks before the last frost. (End of February/March for GA.) Sow in cells and gently press into the seed starting mix as the seeds need light to germinate. Keep the soil moist but not soggy throughout the germination process. Transplant or direct sow into full sun beds after the danger of frost has passed. (May 1 for GA.) Space or thin the plants to 8-12 inches.
Care
Plant in well-draining, rich soil. The seeds need light to germinate. Press into the soil or very lightly cover with soil to keep the wind from blowing the seeds away. While Shasta daisies will take light shade, as opposed to a full sun location, the plants won’t tolerate soggy roots or standing water. Provide appropriate drainage several inches down in the soil. Shasta daisy plants are short-lived perennials, meaning they return for just a few years.
Dead-head plant to encourage more blossoms. Cut back the plant after blooming to encourage re-blooming. Flowers bloom in the summer and are good cut flowers. When blooms of Shasta daisy flowers finish, usually in September, cut the foliage back severely. Flowers bloom in the summer and are good cut flowers. Divide the plants every 3-4 years to prevent overcrowding. Add a layer of mulch to protect the daisies during the winter months.
Seed Saving
Isolation Distance
Insect dependent for pollination. Isolate 1/2 mile to prevent cross-pollination.
Instructions
Select healthy, robust plants free of any signs of disease or insect infestation for seeds. Seeds carry the traits of the parent plant. Choose plants that exhibit the traits you wish to preserve. Consider bloom size, color, and shape, as well as blooming time.
Allow the biggest and healthiest blooms to mature on the plant. Cover the seed head with a fine-mesh bag as soon as flower petals shrivel and die. Use an elastic band to hold the bag in place. This prevents seeds from spilling onto the soil before harvest.
Clip the flower head from the main stem once the seeds are dry and dark. Separate plant debris from the seeds by removing the mesh bag and placing the flower head in a paper bag and shaking to loosen the seeds. Seeds settle to the bottom of the bag. Remove plant debris by hand.
Features
- Attracts pollinators
- Good-cut flowers
- Deer resistant
- Container friendly
- Drought tolerant
- Easy to grow
- Poor soil tolerant
- Alaska: Heirloom. White flowers with butter yellow centers are hardy, deer resistant, disease free, and drought tolerant. Blooms during the summer months and into fall. A clumping variety that benefits from regular dead-heading. Good cut flowers!
- Silver Princess: Flowers have white petals with soft yellow eyes. Blooms during the summer months and into fall. A clumping variety that benefits from regular dead-heading.