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Shasta Daisies ~
The Ideal Country Garden Flower
Growing Shasta Daisies in a country garden makes perfect sense. Not only are they an easy care flower for a novice gardener, but skilled
landscape designers consider them significant enough to include in elaborate perennial borders.
White Daisies ARE Country!
Country flower gardens especially require this classic bloom simply because of its color and form. Daisies almost define the word
country...look at my website logo...a white daisy!
Country garden plans easily accept the addition of daisies without much deliberation.
This variety features white petals around yellow centers and their simple figure mixes gracefully with most other flowers.
Leucanthemum Is a Backyard Flower Garden Favorite
Leucanthemum is the botanical name for the common perennial Shasta daisy and it comes in many select varieties. Shasta 'Alaska' is probably
the most familiar backyard flower garden addition, where the Shasta 'Becky' was the Perennial Plant Association's 2003 plant of the year. I might
have to try that one!
General Care of the Shasta Daisy
The Shasta daisy grows in dry to moist soil which is well-drained, loamy, sandy OR clay. Versatile, huh?! Soil pH is best if acidic
to neutral, but ours in Montana is high in alkaline and yet daisies are one of the most reliable perennials grown here. Again...versatility!
Providing full sun for your daisies is ideal, but partial shade will do as well.
Pests
Some gardeners find their daisies susceptible to pests such as; beetles, caterpillars, cut worms, mealybugs, spider mites, thrips, slugs,
aphids, weevils, whiteflies and scales. I personally haven't had problems with any of these. Grasshopper infestation is the only thing I have
known to destroy my daisies, but they eat EVERYTHING.
Diseases
Diseases that have the potential to plague daisies are; leaf spot, powdery mildew, rust, blight, crown gall, rot or wilt. The only
time we've ever experienced disease problems has been when the soil is too saturated and not able to drain.
Keep Them Blooming
You'll want to 'dead-head' this perennial flower to promote continued blooming. Dead-heading is the removal of spent blooms which is
pretty easily done by pinching them off by hand. Cut back all foliage in the fall down to the base of the plant.
Divide and Multiply!
Every two or three years your clump of daisies will need to be dug up and divided to maintain their vigor and health. In early spring, use
your spade shovel and dig up the entire mass. Then pull (or cut) apart into smaller plants and you'll have free perennials to add in other areas
of the garden!
Most Flower Garden Plans Should Include Daisies
Daisies are an excellent cut flower and compliment any other bloom in the vase. Their cut life is fairly lengthy as well if you change
the water regularly. Blooms are also suitable for drying.
Butterflies and bees are attracted to the Shasta daisy for its nectar, while deer actually don't find them particularly appealing.
Another big plus in our neck of the woods!
So whether you yearn for an all white flower garden, a butterfly garden, a cutting garden or one to harvest for drying blooms, your
flower garden plans should always include Shasta Daisies.
Enjoy Your Country Gardens!
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