Shasta Daisy

Shasta daisy-Chrysanthemum maximum

This hardy perennial is one of the first on my beginner's list of easy to grow plants. I started out with a little clump nearly 20 years ago. It was a token of appreciation from a dear old friend. We'd spent the day together working in her garden. I got some of my first lessons there and so it was fitting to start with these daisies.

This plant spreads quickly and can be divided after just a couple of years. I like to plant in clumps about six inches across in grouping of 3, 5 or 7, depending on how much space you have in your garden. Mid summer bloomers, 2-4 feet high. When the blooms fade, cut them down to about half their height and you will get more growth and a bonus crop of blossoms in the fall. Young garden helpers will have fun making daisy necklaces with all the flowers you will get off this big producer.

I have grown the super fluffy cultivars of this rugged plant. They were more ornate but required staking (something that takes more effort than I tend to give to my plants) and did not perform as well for me. They died out after a few years.

Once your plants are established, you might notice that the center of the clump no longer puts out flowers. Your daisy is now overcrowded and needs to be divided. This is best done in the fall but seems to work fine in the early spring too. Cut back foliage. Use a sharp shovel to cut into the clump and divide it in smaller clumps. Replant the healthiest looking clumps, share your extras with friends, toss out the weak or spindly looking clumps. Great performers even in heavy clay soil. These bright sunny flowers need full sun, might look wilty on a hot day but revive unharmed later in the day. The only problem I have had is weeds sometimes work their way into a clump of daisies. Tough weeds sometimes need to be dug out. Other than that, it's a work horse of a plant.