Daisies, Bellis perennis – planting and care

Everyone knows the common daisy, because it can be found everywhere on the meadows and in the parks in Central Europe. The plant actually came from the Mediterranean area, but it was able to spread throughout Europe as well as North and South America and even New Zealand. Such a splendor of flowers can also be conjured up quickly and easily in your own garden, because there are also cultivated daisies available in a whole range of colors from clear white to bright red.

Small flower with many names

Some of these have larger flowers than their wild counterparts. Daisies can also be found under the name Bellis, Maßliebchen, Tausendschön or in Switzerland as Margritli. There are numerous other names in the vernacular. The flowering period can last from February to late autumn, depending on the type and time of sowing. Since the plants are easy to care for, they can grow almost anywhere and add beautiful accents. Daisies are particularly decorative in combination with different flowers. For example, they perfectly complement a spring bed of tulips, daffodils and other early bloomers.
Planting and choice of location

As already mentioned, daisies are quite undemanding and easy to care for. They can unfold their full bloom on almost any soil. However, they thrive best in nutrient-rich soil.

  • acidic soil unsuitable
  • The sunnier and warmer, the more bloom develops
  • Can also be grown in partial shade
  • only small plants / flowers in shady places

Care begins with the planting

However, before the plants are planted in their final location, the soil should be enriched with compost. If the plants are to be planted in a tub, then it is right if standard soil / potting soil is used. Additional materials are not absolutely necessary. However, it should be ensured that the drainage of the tubs works well and that the water does not accumulate in the tubs, as this would damage the plants.

Much to the annoyance of lawn owners, the plant feels just as comfortable in short meadows and lawns. Especially if the lawn is cut regularly and kept short, the conditions for the plant to develop are optimal. It becomes high between 5 and 20 centimeters. The long-stemmed varieties are even suitable for cutting and for a small flower vase. Nevertheless, the plant is counted among the low-flowerers and is also ideal as a plant in the first row of a flower border. Here it looks like a kind of border.

Propagation of daisies

  • Propagation in the garden mainly via seeds
  • Early spring: place seeds in 1 cm deep grooves
  • End of May / June: transplant in eyrie
  • Autumn: planting on site
  • Following year: flowering

Some sow the seeds as early as autumn, so the plant can be seen in early spring and flowering can develop earlier. After cultivation, when the plants have reached a sufficient size, the plants are planted in clumps. The distances between the individual plants should be about 10 centimeters so that the plants can develop well.

In autumn the plants are ready to be planted in their final place. The distance between the individual plants should then be about 20 centimeters. So that the plants can grow well, the plants should be planted as deep as they were previously planted.

Undemanding flower that needs little maintenance

Caring for the plants is pretty straightforward. They can easily be transplanted at any time without being damaged. If the spring bed is to give way to a bed of summer flowers, the daisies can simply be dug up and replanted in another place. However, they should be inserted to the same depth as they were removed. This way, gardening enthusiasts can enjoy the plants for a long time.

  • Pinching out withered flowers extends the flowering time
  • also prevents uncontrolled multiplication of the daisies
  • Removing dead leaves strengthens plants through better food absorption
  • Regular loosening of the soil

How is a daisy properly fertilized?

The plants should be fertilized primarily in the growth phase, which is in early spring. A liquid fertilizer is best suited for this, with which the plants should be watered at regular intervals of 2 weeks. In winter, however, you should refrain from fertilizing the plants, because during this time the plants cannot absorb the fertilizer and there is a risk that root rot will occur, which will destroy the plants.

Regular watering is very important for the plant, because the plants do not like drought at all. They can dry out pretty quickly. However, daisies cannot tolerate stagnant moisture either. If the roots are in the water for a long time, they start to rot and the plants die.

Biennial daisies

The daisies for the garden are mostly available as biennial hardy plants. The roots and leaves develop in the first year. Even if the plants are hardy, they should still be protected with a little brushwood in open frosts. The plant can only develop flowers in the second year. For the daisies for the garden, breeders have now used a wide variety of flowers.

The different variants range from the classic simple flower with a button-like shape to a full flower that resembles a small pompom. The color of the flowers can also vary. They are available with a classic white flower, also known from the common daisy, with a pink or red flower or with a mixed flower. All in all, 15 different types of daisies can be distinguished.

In its behavior it is very similar to the sunflower. Like the sunflower, the daisy also aligns itself with the sun and moves with it throughout the day. In addition, the flower closes after sunrise as well as on rainy days and opens again when the sun shines again.

Perennial daisies – for a long pleasure

The biennial daisies can be disposed of after the second year. The gardener can either hope that new plants have sown themselves or he can plant new ones. If you don’t want to keep sowing and replanting the flowers, you can use perennial daisies. The perennial plant can also overwinter outside and is cared for in a similar way to the biennial daisy. As a rule, the flowering period for this species lasts between June and October and it is also between 5 and 20 centimeters high.

In order for the perennial plants to remain vigorous, they should be cut back either in late autumn or in the beginning of spring. In contrast to the biennial plant, the perennial daisy is even less sensitive to frost, so that it does not have to be covered even in open frosts.

The blue daisy – a special eye-catcher
The plant, which actually came to Europe from Australia, is perfect for the balcony as well as for the garden. However, care should be taken to choose a location that offers at least a few hours of sun per day. The plant thrives particularly well in loose soil, so a little sand should be added to the potting soil. Like all daisies, this one does not tolerate stagnant moisture. But it has to be watered regularly and fertilized a little. The blue daisy is not winter-proof. However, it can hibernate in a cool and bright place at temperatures between 5 and 15 degrees.

Habanera – with extra large flowers
Habanera is a daisy with approximately 6 cm large flowers. The flower is two-colored and densely filled. The petals are white with red tips. They are great for edging prayers, but they can also be planted well on the balcony. They are sown from May to August. Since they are light germs, the seeds must not be covered with soil. You need fine soil, preferably sifted soil. Otherwise they should be cared for like all other daisies.

Red pomponette – set
elegant accents The red pomponette is a small daisy with about 3 cm large, densely filled red flowers. It really comes into its own when combined with simple white Bellis. In terms of care, they did not differ from other biennial daisies.

Diseases and pests

Not only are daisies easy to care for, they are also very disease resistant. Only pests such as aphids, spider mites or the widespread powdery mildew can cause problems for the plants.

Aphids are relatively easy to spot. They sit on the leaves and suck the sap out of them. As a result, the leaves either curl up or otherwise deform. – First treatment: hosing down

  • Home remedies to control aphids.
  • severe infestation: chemical means to prevent spread

An infestation of mildew spider can be recognized by the fact that the webs appear mainly on the leaf axes, but also on the shoot tips and the leaves curl.

  • Spraying off with rapeseed oil
  • or: chemical agents

Powdery mildew is just as easy to spot because the leaves of the plant are covered with a gray haze.

  • rapid spread through infestation of neighboring plants
  • Remedy: treatment with sulfur
  • or: removal of infested plants to contain spread

Conclusion
All in all, the daisy is a plant that the gardener hardly has to worry about after planting in its final place. Except for regular watering and a little fertilizer from time to time, the plant doesn’t need any special care. Therefore, it is also ideal for beginners in the garden or for a children’s bed, as all parts of the plant are non-toxic.

Kira Bellingham

I'm a homes writer and editor with more than 20 years' experience in publishing. I have worked across many titles, including Ideal Home and, of course, Homes & Gardens. My day job is as Chief Group Sub Editor across the homes and interiors titles in the group. This has given me broad experience in interiors advice on just about every subject. I'm obsessed with interiors and delighted to be part of the Homes & Gardens team.

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