The Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum × superbum) is a familiar perennial admired for its large, bright white flowers and sunny yellow center. Unlike most plants that originate in a specific natural habitat, the Shasta Daisy has a distinctly modern and intentional beginning. Its creation was not the result of natural evolution but a deliberate, multi-year hybridization project by a dedicated horticulturist. This popular garden flower is an example of how human intervention can generate an entirely new species.
The Inventor and Location of Creation
The Shasta Daisy was developed by American plant breeder Luther Burbank, a pioneer in horticulture. His work began around 1884 at his property in Santa Rosa, California, and continued at his experimental farm in Sebastopol. Burbank aimed to produce a daisy superior to common field varieties. He specifically sought a purer white color, a larger bloom size, and a hardier constitution.
This ambitious breeding project spanned 17 years before the flower was formally introduced in 1901. Burbank’s success came from selectively breeding the most promising offspring over multiple generations. The resulting plant was a quadruple hybrid, an entirely new species that exceeded the limitations of its wild ancestors.
The Hybridization Process and Parent Species
The Shasta Daisy combines genetic material from four different species sourced from three continents. Burbank began by crossing the English Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare) with the larger European Field Daisy (Leucanthemum maximum) to increase flower size. This hybrid was then bred with the Portuguese field daisy (Leucanthemum lacustre), which contributed greater vigor and a longer blooming season.
The final cross involved introducing the Japanese chrysanthemum, Nipponanthemum nipponicum. This species was selected for its exceptionally pure white petals, which eliminated the slight yellowing present in the European daisies. This complex, multi-generational process successfully merged the desired traits of large size, brilliant white color, and sturdy growth habit into the new plant.
Why the Name Shasta Daisy?
Luther Burbank chose the name “Shasta” due to a visual and symbolic connection to a prominent California landmark. The flower’s brilliant, pure white petals reminded him of the pristine, snow-covered peak of Mount Shasta. This majestic volcano, located in Northern California, served as the inspiration for the flower’s identity. The name was successful, establishing the daisy’s identity in the marketplace. It associated the Shasta Daisy with concepts of purity and sturdiness, aligning with Burbank’s breeding goals.