Family: Asteraceae
Common Name: Shasta Daisy

The 25 species in this genus are native to Europe and the mountains of northern Asia. This group includes quite a variety of plants, including both annuals and perennials. Habitats cover alpine regions, damp meadows and open grasslands. The best known are herbaceous perennials, good garden plants pro­viding excellent cut flowers.

Species

L. x superbum, Shasta daisy, is a clump-forming perennial with dark green, toothed, basal leaves, 15-25 cm (6-10 in) long. The large, daisy-like flowers are white and may be single or double. They appear during summer on flower stems 50 cm (20 in) or more tall and make excellent cut flowers. Double-flowered forms include 'Esther Read', 'Wirral Supreme' and 'Horace Read'. 'Everest' or 'Mount Everest' is the largest of all the single-flowered forms. An attractive, dwarf form, 'Silberprinzesschen' (Synonyms: 'Little Princess'), is suitable for edging garden beds and has flower­ing stems 25-30 cm (10-12 in) high.

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained soil in full sun, with protection from strong wind. Dig in plenty of compost or manure three to four weeks before planting. Keep well watered in spring and summer to ensure good-sized plants and flowers. Give complete plant food with growth in spring and give soluble liquid fertil­izer in late spring to early summer to encourage flowering. Propagate by dividing clumps in late winter or spring. Discard the old, central growth, replanting only the younger outer divi­sions, each with its own roots and shoots.

Climate

Zone 5.