Would I be wrong if I said that most everyone loves daisies in their garden? My favorite bouquets will always have white daisies in them. And, white petal daisies with their sunny yellow centers just liven up gardens and landscapes.
A number of years ago, I bought one 6” pot of the ‘Becky’ Shasta daisy perennial. After about two summers, it grew very full and spread much wider than when I had planted it.
Initially I divided it (perennials just keep on giving you more plants!), probably into three plants total, and then divided those when they became larger, and so on. Over the years, that one little daisy plant has produced so very many more plants – so much more that I have given them away to family and friends!
I can’t image my summer yard without this pretty white daisy. It is simply old-fashion, and that’s just the character I like in a garden. It would be a perfect plant for many types of gardens including a cottage style garden. The stems can reach 36” to 48” (mine have always been a bit less than 36”), and the blooms are about 2” to 2.5”. Although, I have seen some sources that say the flowers can be 4” across.
The ‘Becky’ Shasta daisy makes a lovely cutting flower for bouquets, as do most Shasta daisies. Its botanical name is Leucanthemum x superbum ‘Becky’, and it has a traditional daisy appearance. It used to be a member of the Chrysanthemum family, and I did see it still listed that way on a few sites.
It attracts butterflies, and is tolerant of dry and humid conditions. It doesn’t mind clay soil, and it is a great low maintenance perennial for homeowners who don’t like to fuss about in the garden – it pretty much takes care of itself. As with any garden plant, they may experience pest problems – here’s what The Old Farmer’s Almanac has to say:
Aphids, slugs, earwigs, chrysanthemum nematode, and leaf spots may be troublesome. However, daisies are generally low maintenance.’ Mine have some leaf spot, but it has never injured them, or ruined their appearance.
I would recommend giving some distance between Shasta daisies and outdoor sitting/eating areas because they can attract flies, now and then. But that certainly doesn’t present a problem, because they can be planted out in the yard in a distant plant bed for a gorgeous view from the patio or porch.
They are just beginning to bloom here. I always look forward to their showy pure white flowers petals against their dark green leaves. If there is one thing I would change about this perennial, it would be a longer bloom time – like from spring into fall!
It blooms here from late June through August, but toward the end of its blooming season, fewer flowers are produced. I read that when the stems begin to grow, you can pinch the top off, so that there will be two stems to grow instead of just one, thus producing more flowers. I am going to give that a try!
I try to keep behind deadheading them, because that helps to produce more blooms, too. I have them planted in both full sun, and in partial sun, and I think full sun produces more blooms.
Here’s more information about the Shasta Daisy ‘Becky’ from Wayside Garden’s website:
Genus: Leucanthemum
Species: x superbum
Variety: Becky’
Zone: 5 – 9
Bloom Season: Mid Summer – Early Fall
Habit: Mound-shaped
Plant Height: 3 ft – 4 ft
Plant Width: 18 in – 24 in
Bloom Size: 4 in
Additional Characteristics: Bloom First Year, Easy Care Plants, Flower, Long Bloomers, Needs
Deadheading
Bloom Color: White
Light Requirements: Full Sun
Moisture Requirements: Dry, Moist, well-drained
Resistance: Heat Tolerant
Soil Tolerance: Normal, loamy
Are daisies a favorite of yours, too?
~M
