Daisy
There are several varieties of daisies all belonging to the aster family. The daisy can come in a variety of colors and be an annual or perennial. They are loved by pollinators and are a good companion plant for attracting beneficial predators to your garden.
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New: Pastel Mix New: Swan River |
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Pastel Mix: Dorotheanthus bellidiformis Swan River: Brachyscome iberidifolia |
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Easy |
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Intermediate |
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3 years if properly stored |
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Pastel Mix: Annal Swan River: Perennial zones 9-11. Annual everywhere else. |
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7-21 days |
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60-65 F |
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No |
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Pastel: 4-6” Swan River: 12-36” and 1-1.5′ wide |
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Full Sun Seeds require light for germination |
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February, March, April, and May |
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No |
Growing Tips
How to Start
Start indoors: 8-10 weeks before the last frost date.
Transplant: After the danger of frost has passed and after hardening off.
Direct Sow: After the danger of frost has passed.
Fall planting: Not recommended for northern GA. In frost-free areas, seeds can be directly sown in the fall.
How to Grow
To start indoors, start 8-10 weeks before the last frost date. Use sterile, pre-moistened seed starting mix. Then sow seeds into cells or pots. Gently press the seeds into the soil as they require light to germinate. Then place the cells or pots under grow lights. Keep soil moist but not soggy and pot up as needed. Or, direct sow after all danger of frost has passed by gently pressing the seeds into the soil. They can be very lightly covered with soil to keep them from blowing away. Keep them moist but not soggy.
Plant Care
Plant or transplant in full sun and well-draining soil. They dislike humidity, which is why it is intermediate to grow in GA. When growing in humid climates, create good air circulation with proper plant spacing. Space plants 12-18 inches apart.
Keep the soil moist but not soggy until the seedlings are about 4 inches tall. After that, less water is okay. Daisies are susceptible to fungal issues. Watering at the base and keeping the leaves dry will help prevent fungal problems.
Dead-head plants to encourage more to prolong the blooming season until you are ready for it to go to seed. Flowers bloom in mid-summer and are good, cut flowers.
As Jefferson, GA is right on the border of zone 9, you might be able to get away with treating some varieties as a perennial. But, you will need to do some winter care. Mulch the plants heavily and cover them to protect them from any freezes.
Seed Saving
Isolation Distance
Insect dependent for pollination. Isolate ½ 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 seeds. Seeds settle to the bottom of the bag. Remove plant debris by hand.
Features
- Drought tolerant once established
- Poor soil tolerant
- Container friendly
- Attracts pollinators
- Good cut flowers
- Good for borders
- Pastel Mix: Heirloom. The low-growing plant makes an excellent ground cover. It loves drier conditions–Don’t over water.
- Swan River: Australian heirloom. It has lacy foliage and periwinkle blooms. Often as an annual but it is a perennial in USDA zones 9-11. It is a long-season bloomer that does well in a container or in the ground. Cold hardy.
Plants dislike humidity. Combat this with proper plant spacing for good air circulation.
Plants will flop over when overwatered.
The ideal germination temperature is 60-65 F.