Daisies are widely recognized flowers that bring natural beauty to gardens and landscapes. While many plants are commonly called “daisies,” the term encompasses a diverse group of flowering plants. Most belong to the large botanical family Asteraceae, characterized by composite flower heads.
The Classic English Daisy
The English Daisy (Bellis perennis) is a small, low-growing herbaceous perennial, typically 3 to 6 inches tall, often seen in lawns and meadows. Its flowers are generally about 2 inches in diameter, with white ray florets around a yellow central disk; pink and red varieties also exist.
This plant forms a flattened rosette of small, spatula-shaped, dark green leaves. Native to Europe, it blooms primarily from early to mid-summer, and can flower longer under favorable conditions. It prefers cooler temperatures and moist, well-drained soil, often declining in intense summer heat.
Popular Garden Daisies
Many distinct daisy-like flowers are cultivated in gardens, each offering unique characteristics.
The Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum) is a robust perennial. Its flowers typically measure 2 to 5 inches across, with white petals radiating from a yellow center. Developed in the 1890s by Luther Burbank, Shasta Daisies thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, blooming from early to late summer.
Gerbera Daisies (Gerbera jamesonii) are known for their extensive color palette, including red, orange, yellow, pink, and white. Native to South Africa, they produce large flower heads, often up to 5 inches in diameter, on long, slender stems. They bloom from spring to fall in warmer climates.
African Daisies, including Dimorphotheca pluvialis and Osteospermum species, offer diverse colors and unique petal forms. These South African natives display blooms in various shades, often with a contrasting eye or central disc. Some varieties close at night or on overcast days. African Daisies are well-suited for sunny, dry conditions and provide continuous color from late spring through fall.
Other Notable Daisy-Like Flowers
Beyond common garden varieties, several other daisy-like flowers add unique visual interest. These plants share the characteristic composite flower structure.
The Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare) is often found in meadows and along roadsides. Its flowers typically measure 1.25 to 2 inches across, featuring 15 to 35 white ray florets surrounding a yellow central disc. This perennial is native to Europe and Asia, commonly growing 1 to 3 feet tall, and spreads by rhizomes and self-seeding, blooming from late spring to late summer.
Gloriosa Daisies (Rudbeckia hirta), also known as Black-Eyed Susans, have warm-toned petals. Their large flowers, 4 to 9 inches across, display shades of yellow, orange, or bicolored patterns, often with a prominent dark brown or black central cone. These annuals or short-lived perennials are native to North America, blooming through summer into early fall. They are adaptable to various soil types and thrive in full sun.
The Painted Daisy (Tanacetum coccineum) is characterized by its delicate, fern-like foliage. Its blooms feature petals in shades of pink, red, white, and sometimes purple, radiating from a yellow center. Growing up to 2-3 feet tall, this upright perennial is native to southwestern Asia. Painted Daisies add color to gardens in early to mid-summer.
Distinguishing Daisy Varieties
Differentiating between daisy varieties involves observing several key characteristics. Size is a primary distinguishing factor; for instance, the English Daisy (Bellis perennis) is notably small, typically reaching only 3 to 6 inches in height, with flowers around 2 inches across. In contrast, the Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum) and Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) are considerably larger, with flower heads that can span 2 to 5 inches in diameter.
The color range of the petals offers another clear distinction. Some daisies, like the English Daisy, Shasta Daisy, and Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), primarily feature white petals, though pink and red variants exist for the English Daisy. Conversely, Gerbera Daisies, African Daisies (Dimorphotheca or Osteospermum species), Gloriosa Daisies (Rudbeckia hirta), and Painted Daisies (Tanacetum coccineum) boast a wide spectrum of vibrant colors, including various shades of red, orange, yellow, pink, and purple.
Differences in the central disc’s appearance also aid identification. While many daisies have a yellow center, its size and texture can vary. Gloriosa Daisies are particularly known for their distinctive dark brown or black central cones, which contrast sharply with their bright petals. Petal shape and arrangement provide further clues; for example, African Daisies can have unique petal forms, including those with a metallic sheen or spoon-shaped tips. Lastly, foliage can be a distinguishing feature, such as the delicate, fern-like leaves of the Painted Daisy, which are notably different from the broader leaves of other daisy types.