Growing Shasta Daisies: Everything You Need To Know

As I walk around my neighborhood in late June, I see Shasta daisies blooming in several gardens. Wherever they’re growing in full sun, including in my own garden, they’re loaded with white flowers which last for several weeks. That’s one of the reasons they’re one of the most popular daisies around.

What Are Shasta Daisies?

Shasta daisies are hybrid perennial flowers that generally grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 5 through 9.

Luther Burbank, one of the most successful plant hybridizers in the United States, introduced the first Shasta daisy in 1901, naming it for Mount Shasta in California. Its botanical name is Leucanthemum x superbum. Now, nearly 125 years later, there are many varieties of this popular plant to choose from.

Types of Shasta Daisies

There are many types — tall, short, double-flowering and even yellow. Here are a few favorites.

• Betsy: This has bigger flowers on longer stems, great for a cut flower garden. It grows two to three feet tall and wide.
• Alaska: Features slightly smaller flowers, each measuring about three inches across. More cold-hardy than some varieties. It should do well even in USDA Zones 4 through 9.
• Amazing Daisies Banana Cream II: Light yellow flowers make it a good choice if you want the vigor of Shasta daisies but don’t really like white flowers.
• Crazy Daisy: One of the many varieties with extra petals, giving it a full look. Like most Shasta daisies, it makes a good cut flower.
• Carpet Angel: An unusual Shasta daisy in that it’s short enough to be considered a ground cover. It was recently named an All-America Selection winner.

How to Grow and Care for Shasta Daisies

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They’re so popular because they’re easy to grow.

Where they grow best

In full sun with well-drained soil. If your soil has a lot of clay, making it tough to dig, add organic matter to improve it. Most perennials will benefit from taking this step before planting. Shasta daisies will grow in partial shade, but have few flowers.

Purchasing plants

Most gardeners buy Shasta daisy plants in spring to plant directly in their gardens. Most of the time, those plants won’t be in bloom when they are for sale.

Later in summer and fall you may find plants for sale with blooms, giving you a chance to see the flowers before you buy. But planting in summer requires extra care due to heat and less rain.

Growing from seeds

You can grow Shasta daisies from seeds. Sow indoors 10 to 12 weeks before your predicted frost-free date. It may take several weeks for the seeds to germinate. You’ll need to keep the seedlings under grow lights.

Before moving them outside, harden them off. Most Shasta daisies grown from seed won’t flower until the second year in the garden.

Digging and dividing

Shasta daisies spread out as they grow and may soon crowd out other plants. Dig and divide them in early spring or later in fall after they’ve finished blooming, giving them enough time to become established before frost.

Whenever you dig them up and divide them, keep them well watered until they become established again.

Mulching and watering

Adding mulch around your Shasta daisies will keep them from drying out. This is especially important the first year after planting when roots become established. Give the new plants the equivalent of an inch of rain a week. Once Shasta daisies are established, they usually don’t require extra watering.

Fertilizing

Whether or not to fertilize your Shasta daisies, or any perennial flowers, depends on the fertility of your soil. The best way to check it is with a soil test. If needed, apply a general-purpose fertilizer, following the directions on the package.

Pest control

Shasta daisies aren’t bothered by many pests or diseases, another reason why they’re so popular. Even deer and rabbits usually leave them alone. Occasionally, however, aphids can be problematic.

Cutting for bouquets and deadheading

For bouquets, cut Shasta daisy flowers just as they open. They’ll last for quite a while, especially if you change the water in the vase every few days and give the flower stems a fresh cut.

Deadhead faded blooms to encourage the plant to continue blooming. You may not see as many blooms as you did initially in early summer, but you will get a few more flowers to enjoy.