The Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum × superbum) is a popular garden perennial known for its simple, cheerful appearance. The species standard is pure white. While modern horticulture has introduced slight deviations, the Shasta Daisy does not naturally occur in the vibrant reds, pinks, or blues seen in other daisy-like flowers. Its color palette is narrow, focusing primarily on shades of white and yellow.
The Signature Color of Shasta Daisies
The definitive color of the Shasta Daisy is pure white, a characteristic intentionally bred into the plant. American horticulturist Luther Burbank developed this perennial in the 1890s, seeking to create a flower with the whitest possible petals. He named the hybrid after the snowy peak of Mount Shasta in California, referencing the crisp, snow-like color of the ray florets.
The flower head is composed of two types of florets. The outer ring consists of the white ray florets, or petals, which surround the dense central disc. This disc is made up of numerous tiny yellow disc florets, creating the classic “sunny” center. The genus name Leucanthemum derives from the Greek words leukos (white) and anthemon (flower), emphasizing the plant’s defining coloration.
Bred Variations and Cultivars
While the species standard is white, contemporary breeding efforts have produced subtle shifts in the color of the petals and the central disc. These variations fall within the white-to-yellow spectrum, offering gardeners a range of tones. The classic white petals can appear in shades of creamy white or ivory, especially as the blooms mature.
Some popular cultivars introduce a distinct yellow hue absent in the original hybrid. The variety ‘Banana Cream’ opens with lemon-yellow petals that gradually lighten, eventually fading to a creamy white as the flower ages. Other cultivars, like ‘Becky’ or ‘Alaska’, retain the pure white petals but may feature a deeper, richer gold in the central disc. These minor color adjustments are often paired with changes in petal structure, such as the double, frilly petals of ‘Crazy Daisy’ or the spooned petals of other unique varieties. This focus on texture and slight tonal shifts distinguishes them from the dramatic colors of other daisy types.
Plants Mistaken for Colorful Shasta Daisies
The assumption that Shasta Daisies come in a rainbow of colors often results from confusing them with other daisy-like species. Plants with the daisy shape but vibrant hues belong to different genera within the Asteraceae family. The Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) is the most common source of this confusion, as it comes in bright reds, oranges, pinks, and yellows.
Another colorful alternative is the Painted Daisy (Tanacetum coccineum), which grows in shades of pink, red, and magenta with a yellow center. Unlike the Shasta Daisy, the Painted Daisy has fern-like foliage and a different growth habit. English Daisies (Bellis perennis) also feature pink, rose, or red-tipped petals, but these are noticeably smaller and often lie closer to the ground. These other genera possess the genetic ability to produce pigments not present in the Leucanthemum × superbum hybrid. Gardeners seeking bright, non-white daisy flowers should look specifically for these other genera.