GARDENING ADVICE

Daisies: Birthday flowers for April

Gardeners’ Dirt by Virginia Ruschhaupt appeared in The Victoria Advocate

Shasta Daisy, Leucanthemum x superbum. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER NANCY KRAMER

Gerbera Garvinea Sweet Series, an improved hardier version of Garvinea, numerous varieties, beautiful color combinations, long bloom period, a true garden variety. (HilverdaFlorist)

Gerbera Garvinea Sweet Memories — Hardiness zones 7-10, can bloom from spring to fall, multi-level rays. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER PAT PLOWMAN

Gerbera FloriLine Midi Pink Splash, an annual — Series is grown for well balanced uniform size, from micro to giant. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER VIRGINIA RUSCHHAUPT

Daisies, the designated birthday flower for the month of April, symbolize youth and purity. Daisies have the distinction of being easily identified by most of us, even children. Remember “He loves me. He loves me not” while tearing off petals one by one?

The flower head is distinguished by a central button-like disk of tiny, almost miscroscopic florets surrounded by a ring of ray-like petals.

Daisies are part of the family Asteraceae. They are grown throughout the world, with the exception of Antarctica. Some of the numerous varieties include Shasta, Gloriosa, Gerbera, Painted, Townsend, Ox-eye, English (aka common daisy), and many wild daisies. Some daisies prefer deserts or rocky soils and bloom almost on the ground.

Shastas and Gerbera are commonly seen in our local gardens. They are grown from seeds, cuttings, and divisions. See References for planting and care instructions, as well as pests, which are somewhat different for Shastas and Gerberas.

Shasta daisies, named after the snow covered Mount Shasta in California, are white with yellow central florets. It is a cross between an ox-eye daisy, Portuguese daisy, and English daisy, bred by American horticulturist, Luther Burbank, for low maintenance and his quest for the perfect white daisy. Butterflies love it.

Blooms are up to 3” wide and bushes are 1-to 4-feet in height and 2-feet wide, dependent on our choice of the 60 varieties of Shastas. Most of the cultivars are hardy perennials in USDA Zone 5 to 10, drought tolerant, and should last in gardens for many years.

Gerbera daisies, aka Barberton or Transvaal, have solid bright or pastel colored petals with yellow, green, or black central florets. An abundance of hybrids offer choices of single, semi-double, double, or spider blooms 2-to 5-inches across. The scent is subtle. Leaves cluster at the base of the plant, while blooms stand tall on leafless stems.

Most cultivars are hardy in USDA Zones 8-11. Gerberas are not as hardy as Shastas and are often referred to as ‘tender perennials grown as annuals in cooler climates.

Some of the newer introductions are labeled as ‘hardy’, such as ‘Everlast Series’ and ‘Garvinea Series’ including the ‘Sweet’ varieties, but still need shelter from cold. If temperatures fall below Zone 8 level, as it has in the last few years, plants may be dug, potted, and brought indoors for the winter. Place in a brightly lit room with temperatures 45 to 60 degrees.

If you choose to plant seeds, sowing seeds in peat or paper pots will minimize disturbing the roots and increase transplanting success. Allow 12 to 18” between plants in the garden. The crown of the plant, where stem and roots meet, should be slightly above the soil line.

Gerberas prefer medium moisture, rich nutrients, organic matter, well-drained soil with close to neutral pH. They are not drought tolerant, nor do they like soggy roots.

Instructions to plant in full sun don’t apply to south central Texas. Gerberas don’t tolerate extreme heat and will beg for some afternoon shade for protection.

More blooms are encouraged by deadheading as soon as the blooms fade instead of waiting until blooms are fully spent. Cut the stem down near the base of the plant.

If performance has declined after daisies have formed a sizable clump, revitalize them by dividing. Dig up the whole plant in the fall or early spring, divide the rootball into several parts, and transplant with adequate spacing.

Daisies make great cut flowers with a vase life up to 14 days. Don’t hesitate to cut lots of flowers for beautiful arrangements, since you are inviting a flush of new growth and blooms in the garden. Enjoy your daisies, whether or not you have an April birthday!

The Gardeners’ Dirt is written by members of the Victoria County Master Gardener Association, an educational outreach of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Victoria County.

More information about Gerbera Daisies

Gerberas may be grown in containers. Periodically transfer to a slightly larger container to accommodate their large root systems.

Cutting Gerbera daisies for the vase – After buds are fully open, cut stems at a 45 degree angle under running water. Since flowers and stems are fragile, Martha Stewart’s website suggests keeping the flowers upright, without letting them lie down after cutting, in order to decrease drooping.

A few Gerbera Daisy Series

Each Series is bred for distinct features and hardiness. Many varieties and colors are included within each Series – solids, bi-tones, multi-level rays.