Daisies belong to the Asteraceae family and are prized for their classic, ray-like blooms. They are purchased either as decorative cut flowers for immediate display or as garden plants and seeds for cultivation. This guide explores the various retail and remote locations where you can acquire daisies in the form best suited to your needs.
Understanding Daisy Varieties and Purchase Formats
The purchasing decision for daisies relies heavily on the desired variety and intended use. For bouquets, the Gerbera daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) is the most common cut flower, known for its strong stems and wide array of colors. These are typically bought for immediate enjoyment and have an excellent vase life, often lasting up to two weeks with proper care.
If the goal is to establish a permanent garden feature, perennial varieties like the Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum superbum) or English daisy (Bellis perennis) are the usual choice. These are sold as potted plants, ready for transplanting into garden beds or containers. Potted plants offer an established root system, which helps them survive their first winter and return year after year.
Starting daisies is accomplished by purchasing seeds, which is the most economical way to acquire large quantities or rare varieties. Seeds allow for early indoor starting of annuals like African daisies or direct sowing of hardy perennials in the garden. This format requires patience and is ideal for gardeners who want to control the growth process.
Buying Daisies at Physical Retail Locations
Local nurseries and specialized garden centers provide the highest quality perennial daisy plants, often carrying unique cultivars hardier for your specific region. Staff can offer expert advice on planting Shasta daisies and ensuring they thrive in your local climate. These centers also often stock bulk soil amendments.
Big box stores and home improvement centers serve as a convenient source for seasonal daisy purchases. They typically offer starter plants, such as potted African or Gerbera daisies, and a wide selection of packaged seeds, including common Shasta and English daisy varieties. These plants are sold in smaller pots or multi-packs, offering an affordable option for filling garden containers or borders.
For fresh blooms, grocery stores and dedicated florists are the primary source. Florists focus on custom arrangements, often featuring high-quality, long-lasting Gerbera daisies. Grocery stores offer the convenience of pre-made bouquets, which are more budget-friendly but may have a shorter life span due to less specialized handling and storage conditions.
Sourcing Daisies Online and Through Mail Order
For gardeners seeking specialized or bulk options, online seed companies provide an extensive inventory, including rare heirloom daisy varieties. These vendors often list seeds for species not readily available locally, such as Painted daisies (Tanacetum coccineum), allowing for significant variety expansion. Ordering seeds online is possible year-round and is the easiest format to ship.
Specialized perennial nurseries operate mail-order services, shipping live potted plants or bare-root perennials, such as Shasta daisies, directly to your door. Shipping live plants requires checking the company’s shipping zone calendar to ensure the plants arrive at the optimal time for planting in your area. Nurseries often ship perennial daisies bare-root during their dormant season to minimize transplant shock and shipping weight.
Online floral delivery services are the best option for sending a gift of fresh cut daisies, typically focusing on brightly colored Gerbera arrangements. These services partner with local florists to ensure same-day or next-day delivery. The cut flowers are professionally arranged and packaged to maintain freshness, often arriving with care instructions and flower food to maximize vase life.