Shasta Daisy

Botanical Name

:

Leucanthemum × superbum

Plant Type

:

Flowering herbaceous perennial

Seasons

:

Plant in early spring or summer; Blooms from early summer to early fall

Sun Level

:

Full sun; at least 6 hours of full sun per day

Ideal Soil Temperature for Planting

:

65–75°F (18–24°C)

Soil Type

:

Loamy, moist but well-drained

Hardiness Zones

:

5–9 (USDA)

Germination

:

Seeds germinate in 10–20 days

P.H. Level

:

Neutral (6.0–8.0)

Water/Irrigation

:

About an inch of water each week; drought-tolerant and can survive short periods without water

Fertilization

:

Use a balanced fertilizer with an NPK ratio of about 3-4-5 in spring and summer

Habit

:

Clumping, upright growth habit, spreading slowly via rhizomes

Propagation

:

Division and seeds

Final Plant Height

:

9 in. – 3 ft

Spread

:

1–2 ft

Flowers

:

Gold, yellow, white

Attracts

:

Bees and butterflies

Uses

:

Cut flowers, border planting, container gardening

Companions

:

Algerian iris, lavender, marigolds, campanula, liatris, Russian sage, and roses

Pruning

:

Deadhead spent blooms regularly throughout the growing season

Toxicity

:

Mildly toxic to humans and pets

Pests

:

Aphids, thrips, spider mites, fungus gnats, and fruit flies

Diseases

:

Chlorosis, necrosis, and leaf rot

Fun Fact

:

The common name “Shasta Daisy” is derived from Mount Shasta, as the plant’s white petals resemble snow.