Shasta daisy
An easy, long-lived perennial provided it's divided regularly and not left in soggy soil over winter.
Care
Full sun; flops and flowers less in shade.
Medium — water through dry spells in the first year.
Moist but well-drained, reasonably fertile soil; dislikes winter wet.
Deadhead to the next bud to extend flowering; cut back after flowering and again to basal leaves in autumn or spring. Tall varieties may need support.
A light balanced feed or compost mulch in spring.
Divide clumps every two or three years in spring — they flower best when young and die out in the centre when old.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- AprilPut supports in place for tall varieties as growth starts. how ›
- JulyDeadhead regularly to prolong flowering. how ›
- OctoberCut spent stems back to the basal rosette. how ›
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- AprilPut supports in place for tall varieties as growth starts. how ›
- JulyDeadhead regularly to prolong flowering. how ›
- OctoberCut spent stems back to the basal rosette. how ›
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Clump bare in the middle, flowers only round the edge.
What to do. Divide and replant the young outer pieces.
How to spot it. New growth grazed in spring.
What to do. Protect young shoots.
How to spot it. Stems fall open after rain.
What to do. Support early or choose shorter varieties.
Questions
Shasta daisy: is it hardy?
H5: Hardy in most of the UK, but can struggle in the coldest inland or upland spots. It survives down to −15 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Compact varieties do well in pots.
Shasta daisy: when do you prune it?
Deadhead to the next bud to extend flowering; cut back after flowering and again to basal leaves in autumn or spring. In the calendar for UK, pruning falls in October.
Shasta daisy: when does it flower?
In the climate of UK it flowers in June–September.
When do you feed it?
A light balanced feed or compost mulch in spring. Feeding months, UK: April.