Daisy, Shasta
Item #6755 Leucanthemum superbum 'Alaska'
Lighting:
sun, part
Plant Height:
2-3'
Ground Condition:
Spread:
Hardiness Zone:
All
Enjoy astonishing numbers of snowy, gold-centered blooms every June and July. Giant Alaska Shasta Daisies make excellent cut flowers. Will bloom again in late summer if spring blossoms are cut off. Choice one-year-old field-grown plants. They grow well in sun or light shade. It is an easy to grow perennial that spreads fast.
Botanical name: Leucanthemum x superbum
Plant type: Flower
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5, 6, 7, 8
Sun exposure: Full Sun
Soil type: Any
Flower color: White
Bloom time: Summer, Fall
The cheerful shasta daisy is a classic perennial. It looks similar to the familiar roadside daisy but has larger and more robust blooms.
Shasta daisies tend to bloom in clumps from 2 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide. They bear all-white daisy petals, yellow disk florets, and contrasting glossy, dark green leaves.
Like clockwork, shastas return every spring or early summer and bloom until early fall. They are never invasive (like some consider roadside daisies to be) and they are terrific for cutting.
Planting
Recommended Varieties
Where tall feathered grasses and buttercups sway;
And all through the fields a white sprinkle of daisies,
Open-eyed at the setting of day.
–Abba Woolson
Bushy, compact, upright plants 12"-3 feet in height. Easy to grow perennial, growing in full sun or partial shade. Attractive plants for borders and flowers are especially good in arrangements. The Shasta daisy comes into bloom in June and July and will continue giving bloom through August if faded flowers are removed.
SHASTA DAISY FLOWERS:
Free-flowering plants with, daisy-like flowers 3-5" or more across. All have small yellow centers. Flowers are borne on stiff, strong stems.
FOLIAGE:
Broad, long, coarse leaves. Dark green color.
SOIL:
Rich, well-drained soil is a must. Will take acid or alkaline soils. The pH can be quite variable from 6.0 - 8.0. If you are doubtful of your soils acidity, use a Burpee Soil Test Kit or contact your local County Agricultural Agent regarding soil samples for testing. A soil test will indicate what fertilizers or elements are needed in your soil and the quantities to apply.
Spade your soil to a depth of at least 12-18" and work in liberal amounts of organic matter like peat moss, leaf mold, compost or well-rotted manure, plus a commercial fertilizer such as a 0-20-20. Follow manufacturers directions for amount to apply.
SHASTA DAISY PLANTING:
Spring or Fall. Spring plantings are made after all danger of frost and are safer to make in areas where winters are severe. Careful soil preparation is essential to assure years of beauty and good growth. Soil should be prepared at least one week before planting. Set Shasta daisy plants into the ground as soon as possible after arrival. If planting must be delayed for a few days, place the plants in a cool, shaded area and keep the roots moist.
Dig holes large enough to accommodate Shasta daisy roots and planting material without crowding. Burpee’s rooted perennials are rooted in a special planting mixture that promotes fast growth. Do not pull this material away from the roots but set the top of the planting mixture level with or slightly below the soil line. Firm garden soil around the Shasta daisy plant and water well, to eliminate any air pockets that may form around the roots.
PLANT SPACING:
Set Shasta daisy plants 18" apart. If you plant in rows, space rows to stand 2-1/2- 3 feet apart.
MOISTURE REQUIREMENTS:
Keep plants well watered, especially during periods of hot, dry weather. Never allow soil to become soggy.
PRUNING & DIVIDING:
Remove all faded flowers to keep plant in vigorous growth and to help extend blooming period. Plants of Shasta Daisy should be divided frequently. Separate plants as you would Chrysanthemums, selecting strong pieces from the outside of the clump. Discard center portion of clump as this is usually dried out and/or less vigorous.
WINTER CARE:
In cold climate, cover plants with salt hay or pine branches to prevent soil from heaving and thawing during the winter months. This material is applied only after the ground has frozen, and is removed again in the spring, after growth starts up.
Item #6755 Leucanthemum superbum 'Alaska'
Lighting:
sun, part
Plant Height:
2-3'
Ground Condition:
Spread:
Hardiness Zone:
All
Enjoy astonishing numbers of snowy, gold-centered blooms every June and July. Giant Alaska Shasta Daisies make excellent cut flowers. Will bloom again in late summer if spring blossoms are cut off. Choice one-year-old field-grown plants. They grow well in sun or light shade. It is an easy to grow perennial that spreads fast.
Botanical name: Leucanthemum x superbum
Plant type: Flower
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5, 6, 7, 8
Sun exposure: Full Sun
Soil type: Any
Flower color: White
Bloom time: Summer, Fall
The cheerful shasta daisy is a classic perennial. It looks similar to the familiar roadside daisy but has larger and more robust blooms.
Shasta daisies tend to bloom in clumps from 2 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide. They bear all-white daisy petals, yellow disk florets, and contrasting glossy, dark green leaves.
Like clockwork, shastas return every spring or early summer and bloom until early fall. They are never invasive (like some consider roadside daisies to be) and they are terrific for cutting.
Planting
- Grow in full sun.
- Soil should be moderately fertile, not overly rich, moist but well-drained.
- Sow seeds in containers in a cold frame in autumn or spring. Divide perennials in early spring or late summer.
- If you seed directly, expect bloom the following spring after one season's growth.
- If purchasing a plant in a container, plant in spring.
- Loosen the soil to a depth of 12 to 15 inches, then mix in a 2- to 4-inch layer of compost.
- Space plants 1 to 2 feet apart. Dig a hole twice the diameter of the container.
- When placing plant in the hole, make sure the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface.
- Fill around the root ball and firm the soil.
- Water thoroughly.
- Many of the taller plants need support/staking.
- Water during the summer only if rainfall is less than 1 inch per week.
- After the first killing frost, cut stems back to an inch or two above the soil line.
- Every spring, apply some compost and mulch to help control weeds.
- Every 3 to 4 years, divide perennials again in early spring or late summer.
Recommended Varieties
- 'Cobham Gold' is a popular variety with double flowerheads and a yellow disc carried atop 2-foot stems.
- 'Horace Reed' is an elegant daisy with double white flowerheads and incurved disk florets.
- 'Snow Lady' is a fast-growing, erect, bushy perennial that blooms the first year from seed and produces single white flowerheads in the summer.
- Attracts Butterflies
Where tall feathered grasses and buttercups sway;
And all through the fields a white sprinkle of daisies,
Open-eyed at the setting of day.
–Abba Woolson
Bushy, compact, upright plants 12"-3 feet in height. Easy to grow perennial, growing in full sun or partial shade. Attractive plants for borders and flowers are especially good in arrangements. The Shasta daisy comes into bloom in June and July and will continue giving bloom through August if faded flowers are removed.
SHASTA DAISY FLOWERS:
Free-flowering plants with, daisy-like flowers 3-5" or more across. All have small yellow centers. Flowers are borne on stiff, strong stems.
FOLIAGE:
Broad, long, coarse leaves. Dark green color.
SOIL:
Rich, well-drained soil is a must. Will take acid or alkaline soils. The pH can be quite variable from 6.0 - 8.0. If you are doubtful of your soils acidity, use a Burpee Soil Test Kit or contact your local County Agricultural Agent regarding soil samples for testing. A soil test will indicate what fertilizers or elements are needed in your soil and the quantities to apply.
Spade your soil to a depth of at least 12-18" and work in liberal amounts of organic matter like peat moss, leaf mold, compost or well-rotted manure, plus a commercial fertilizer such as a 0-20-20. Follow manufacturers directions for amount to apply.
SHASTA DAISY PLANTING:
Spring or Fall. Spring plantings are made after all danger of frost and are safer to make in areas where winters are severe. Careful soil preparation is essential to assure years of beauty and good growth. Soil should be prepared at least one week before planting. Set Shasta daisy plants into the ground as soon as possible after arrival. If planting must be delayed for a few days, place the plants in a cool, shaded area and keep the roots moist.
Dig holes large enough to accommodate Shasta daisy roots and planting material without crowding. Burpee’s rooted perennials are rooted in a special planting mixture that promotes fast growth. Do not pull this material away from the roots but set the top of the planting mixture level with or slightly below the soil line. Firm garden soil around the Shasta daisy plant and water well, to eliminate any air pockets that may form around the roots.
PLANT SPACING:
Set Shasta daisy plants 18" apart. If you plant in rows, space rows to stand 2-1/2- 3 feet apart.
MOISTURE REQUIREMENTS:
Keep plants well watered, especially during periods of hot, dry weather. Never allow soil to become soggy.
PRUNING & DIVIDING:
Remove all faded flowers to keep plant in vigorous growth and to help extend blooming period. Plants of Shasta Daisy should be divided frequently. Separate plants as you would Chrysanthemums, selecting strong pieces from the outside of the clump. Discard center portion of clump as this is usually dried out and/or less vigorous.
WINTER CARE:
In cold climate, cover plants with salt hay or pine branches to prevent soil from heaving and thawing during the winter months. This material is applied only after the ground has frozen, and is removed again in the spring, after growth starts up.