Botanical Classification:
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Clade: Angiosperms
- Clade: Eudicots
- Clade: Asterids
- Order: Asterales
- Family: Asteraceae (Compositae)
- Genus: Leucanthemum
- Species: Leucanthemum × superbum
Leucanthemum × superbum is a hybrid species, a result of crossing Leucanthemum vulgare (Oxeye Daisy) with other Leucanthemum species. It belongs to the daisy family, Asteraceae, known for its composite flowers where what appears as a single flower is actually a collection of many small flowers.
The Shasta Daisy was created by the famous American horticulturist Luther Burbank in the late 19th century. Burbank aimed to develop a daisy with larger, purer white flowers than the common oxeye daisy. After years of selective breeding, he succeeded in creating this hybrid in 1890, named after Mount Shasta in California.
Since its introduction, the Shasta Daisy has become one of the most popular garden perennials due to its classic daisy appearance and hardiness. It symbolizes purity, innocence, and new beginnings, making it a favored choice in floral arrangements and garden designs. From its origins in Burbank’s garden, Shasta Daisies have spread worldwide, appreciated in both public and private landscapes for their cheerful blooms.
Shasta Daisies are hardy in USDA Zones 4 through 9. This broad range reflects their adaptability to both cold winters and hot summers, though performance can vary based on local microclimates, soil conditions, and moisture availability. In the colder zones (4-6), Shasta Daisies can withstand winter frosts and snow, dying back to the ground and regrowing in spring. In warmer zones (7-9), they might remain evergreen or semi-evergreen, depending on the severity of winter.
While not found in the wild, the Shasta Daisy is cultivated in a variety of garden settings, from cottage gardens to formal borders, due to its aesthetic appeal and ease of growth. They prefer well-drained, fertile soil but are quite adaptable, growing in conditions from sandy to clay soils, provided they are not waterlogged. A slightly acidic to neutral pH is ideal.
They form clumps that spread slowly through rhizomes, creating a dense cover over time, which can be useful for ground cover but might require division to control spread in smaller gardens.Shasta Daisies attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, contributing to garden ecosystems. They are also deer-resistant, which is beneficial in areas with deer populations.
Characteristics
- Appearance: Shasta Daisies are renowned for their large, showy flowers that feature bright white petals surrounding a yellow center disk. The flowers can be up to 4 inches across, giving them a striking presence in the garden.
- Foliage: The leaves are dark green, lance-shaped, and somewhat toothed, forming a dense, bushy base from which the flower stalks emerge.
- Growth Habit: These perennials grow in clumps, typically reaching 2 to 3 feet in height, though some cultivars can be taller or shorter. They spread slowly via rhizomes, forming a denser mat over time.
- Flowering: Shasta Daisies bloom from late spring through summer, with some varieties offering a rebloom in the fall if deadheaded. The flowering period can be extended with proper care.
- Lifespan: As a perennial, it returns year after year, with some plants living for many years under ideal conditions.
Cultivation
- Site Selection: Choose a location with full sun for the best flower production. They can tolerate some light shade, especially in regions with very hot summers, but flowering might be reduced.
- Soil: Shasta Daisies prefer well-drained, fertile soil. They are adaptable to various soil types but thrive in loamy soil with a pH slightly acidic to neutral. Amending heavy or sandy soils with organic matter can improve growth.
- Watering: Regular watering is necessary during establishment. Once mature, they are somewhat drought-resistant but benefit from consistent moisture, especially during bloom for prolonged flowering.
- Fertilization: Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring as new growth begins. Over-fertilization can lead to more foliage at the expense of flowers.
- Mulching: Mulch can help retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and keep the root zone cool, but avoid piling mulch against the plant stems to prevent rot.
- Pruning: Deadheading (removing spent flowers) encourages further blooming. Cutting back the plant by about a third after the first bloom can sometimes induce a second flush of flowers. Dividing every 3-4 years in early spring or fall helps maintain vigor and control spread.
- Pest and Disease: Generally hardy, but watch for aphids, leaf miners, and fungal diseases like powdery mildew in poor air circulation or overly wet conditions. Good cultural practices can prevent most issues.
Propagation
- Division: The most common method for home gardeners. In spring or early fall, dig up the plant, separate the clumps into smaller sections, each with roots and shoots, and replant. This not only propagates new plants but also rejuvenates the parent plant.
- Seeds: While Shasta Daisies can be grown from seed, they might not come true to type (i.e., produce flowers identical to the parent plant) due to their hybrid nature. Sow seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost or directly in the garden after the danger of frost has passed. Germination typically requires light, so don’t cover the seeds completely.
- Cuttings: Less common but possible with some varieties. Take stem cuttings in late spring or early summer, remove lower leaves, and root in a moist, well-draining medium under indirect light.
- Layering: A natural form of propagation where you can encourage a stem to root by bending it down to touch the soil, securing it, and covering part of it with soil. Once rooted, it can be cut from the parent plant and transplanted.