Types of Daisies
If
you are thinking of adding daisies to your garden or lawn, knowing about
different types can really amp up your gardening game. Daisies have varied
looks, sizes and care needs, which can affect how well they fit into your
garden plans. Choosing the right type can ensure your garden booms.
Here are a few popular types of daisies that you might consider for your garden:
Shasta Daisy
Shasta daisies are classic beauties with white petals and yellow centers. They are perennial, meaning they come back year after year. Shasta daisies like full sun and well-draining soil. They bloom in late spring to early summer and can keep your garden looking bright into the fall.
Gerbera Daisy
Gerbera
daisies are like the colorful, fun cousins in the daisy family. They come in
bright shades of yellow, orange, red, pink and more. These daisies prefer a lot
of sunlight and a bit of pampering, including regular watering and feeding.
They often grow as annuals but can be perennials in warmer climates.
African Daisy
African
daisies (Osteospermum) are known for their unique petal colors and patterns.
The petals can have a spoon shape, and the colors often blend from the center
outwards, creating a striking look. They like sunny spots but need cooler
temperatures to thrive, making them perfect for spring and fall gardens.
Marguerite Daisy
Marguerite daisies are charming with their bright white, yellow or pink petals surrounding a yellow center. They love the sun but are quite versatile and can tolerate some partial shade. Regular watering and deadheading (removing spent flowers) will keep them blooming happily.
Painted Daisy
Painted
daisies bring a burst of color with flowers in pink, red and white. These
daisies are not just pretty but they also help deter unwanted garden pests.
They prefer cooler climates and can add a pop of color to your spring garden.
How to Choose the Right Daisy for Your Lawn
- Consider your climate: Some daisies prefer warm weather like Gerbera daisies, while others thrive in cooler temperatures like Painted daisies. Pick ones suited to your area.
- Think about color: Whether you want a rainbow of colors or a classic white garden, your color preference can guide your choice.
- Maintenance level: If you are a low-maintenance gardener, Shasta daisies might be your best bet. If you enjoy regular gardening tasks, Gerbera daisies could be more rewarding.
How to Grow Daisies in Your Lawn
How to Care for Daisies
- Watering: Keep the soil around your daisies moist until they have started growing. Once they are up and growing, they are quite drought-tolerant. But during really dry spells, a good soaking once a week will keep them happy.
- Feeding: Daisies are not big eaters. Feeding them in the spring with a balanced flower fertilizer will support their growth.
- Mulching: A layer of mulch around your daisies helps the soil retain moisture and keeps weeds at bay.
- Deadheading: Once your daisies start blooming, snip off the flowers as they start to fade. This encourages the plant to produce more blooms.
How to Prune Daisies
To
keep your daisies looking their best, prune them in the fall after they have
finished blooming. Cut back all the stems, leaving about 1.5-2 feet of the
plant. This will not only help maintain a tidier appearance but also prepare
the plants for winter and encourage new growth in the spring. Keep the
remaining green, leafy stalks, as they can still add life to your fall garden.
How to Propagate Daisies
There
are several methods to propagate daisies. Here is a simple guide for a few of
them:
Division:
Division
is the simplest method. In the spring or early fall, carefully dig up your
daisy clumps and gently separate them into smaller bunches. Each should have
some roots attached. Replant the divisions at the same soil depth they were
growing before and water them well to help them establish.
Cuttings:
For propagation through cuttings, the best time is early fall or spring. In the morning, when the plants are most hydrated, take a cutting about 4-6 inches long from a healthy daisy plant, ideally with several leaves. Remove the bottom leaves, dip the cut end into rooting hormone if available and plant it into moist soil. Keep the soil moist until the cutting establishes roots, which is generally indicated by new growth.
Seeds:
You can also
grow daisies from seeds. Sow the seeds in a seed-starting mix, lightly cover
them and keep them moist. Once the seedlings are big enough, transplant them to
your garden space. Please remember that growing daisies from seed may take
longer to mature and flower compared to their propagation methods.
Remember
whichever method you choose, make sure to keep the new plants or cuttings
watered and protect them from extreme temperatures as they get established.
Lowe’s also offers live plant delivery, which allows you to have your plants delivered to your home.
Common Pests and Diseases
Keep an eye
out for plant pests like aphids and treat them with insecticides if you spot
any. Daisies can also fall victim to fungal diseases, especially in very wet
conditions. Good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering can help
prevent these issues.
Conclusion
Growing
daisies on your lawn adds a splash of color. With a little bit of care and the
right information about how to grow daisies in your lawn, you can enjoy
these delightful flowers from spring well into the fall. Give them sun, don’t
drown them with water and they will reward you with bright blooms.