Daisies are cherished for their star-shaped blooms and vibrant charm, adding a cheerful touch to any garden. These versatile plants, part of a diverse family, thrive in various settings, from borders to containers, and bloom generously in warm seasons. Their simplicity and resilience make them a favorite for both novice and seasoned gardeners.
Most daisies prefer full sun and well-drained soil, though some tolerate partial shade or poorer conditions. They’re generally low-maintenance, needing moderate watering and occasional deadheading to extend their flowering period. Many attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing garden ecosystems.
Available as annuals or perennials, daisies offer flexibility in garden design, fitting into formal beds, wild meadows, or coastal landscapes. Their colors range from classic white to vivid pinks, yellows, and purples, allowing for creative combinations. Some varieties self-seed, ensuring a recurring display with minimal effort.
Daisies are ideal for cut flowers, bringing their sunny disposition indoors. Their adaptability to different climates and soil types makes them accessible to gardeners worldwide. With proper care, they provide long-lasting beauty, brightening spaces until the first frost.
Daisies
Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum)
The Shasta daisy is the quintessential daisy, boasting large, white petals surrounding a bright yellow center. Growing 2-3 feet tall, this perennial thrives in USDA Zones 5-9 and blooms from summer to frost in full sun. Its sturdy stems make it ideal for cut flowers, while its low-maintenance nature suits cottage gardens and mixed borders. Deadhead regularly to encourage continuous blooms.
Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)
Known for their vibrant, candy-like colors—think pink, red, orange, and yellow—Gerbera daisies are tender perennials hardy in Zones 8-10 but often grown as annuals elsewhere. Their large, 4-inch blooms shine in containers or as focal points in beds. These South African natives prefer morning sun and well-drained soil to avoid fungal issues.
English Daisy (Bellis perennis)
The English daisy is a low-growing perennial (Zones 4-8) with petite white, pink, or red blooms. Often used as ground cover or in rock gardens, it tolerates cooler climates and moist soil. Its small, spoon-shaped leaves form rosettes, and it blooms from spring to summer. This daisy’s delicate charm is perfect for edging paths or lawns.
African Daisy (Osteospermum spp.)
African daisies, also called Cape daisies, dazzle with vivid hues like purple, pink, and yellow, often with striking metallic blue centers. Hardy in Zones 10-11, they’re grown as annuals in cooler regions. These drought-tolerant plants bloom from spring to fall in full sun, making them ideal for borders, containers, or coastal gardens.
Gloriosa Daisy (Rudbeckia hirta)
Also known as Black-eyed Susan, the Gloriosa daisy features golden-yellow petals with dark brown centers. A drought-tolerant perennial in Zones 4-9, it grows 2-3 feet tall and blooms from summer to fall. Its rugged nature suits wildflower meadows or informal beds, and it attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Painted Daisy (Tanacetum coccineum)
Painted daisies bring bold colors—pink, red, or white with yellow centers—to gardens in Zones 3-7. Growing 2-3 feet tall, these perennials bloom in summer and attract butterflies. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil, making them a vibrant choice for cottage gardens or cut flower arrangements. Divide every few years to maintain vigor.
Marguerite Daisy (Argyranthemum frutescens)
Marguerite daisies offer delicate white, yellow, or pink blooms and are annuals in most climates, though perennial in Zones 10-11. They thrive in cool seasons, blooming in spring and fall, and reach 1-3 feet tall. Their fern-like foliage adds texture to containers or borders, and they prefer full sun with good drainage.
Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)
The Oxeye daisy, with its white petals and yellow disk, is a vigorous perennial in Zones 3-8. Growing 1-3 feet tall, it blooms from summer to fall and naturalizes easily in meadows. However, its invasive tendencies in some areas require careful management. It’s drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, ideal for wild gardens.
Blue Marguerite Daisy (Felicia amelloides)
This South African daisy, hardy in Zones 9-11, sports sky-blue petals with yellow centers. Growing 12-18 inches tall, it’s a perennial in warm climates but an annual elsewhere. Its bushy habit suits borders, rock gardens, or hanging baskets. Blue Marguerite thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, blooming spring to fall.
Dahlberg Daisy (Thymophylla tenuiloba)
Dahlberg daisies are bushy annuals native to Texas and Mexico, with tiny yellow blooms and fern-like foliage. Growing 6-12 inches tall, they’re perfect for borders or ground cover in sunny, dry conditions. These drought-tolerant plants bloom from summer to fall and thrive in sandy, well-drained soil.
Swan River Daisy (Brachyscome iberidifolia)
Native to Australia, Swan River daisies are annuals with delicate blue, purple, or white blooms. Growing 8-12 inches tall, they’re ideal for beds, borders, or hanging baskets. They prefer full sun and bloom from summer to fall, adding a soft, airy feel to gardens. Pinch back stems for bushier growth.
Montauk Daisy (Nipponanthemum nipponicum)
Montauk daisies, also called Nippon daisies, feature large white blooms with yellow centers. Hardy in Zones 5-9, they grow 2-3 feet tall and bloom in late summer to fall. Native to Japan, they’re perfect for coastal gardens or mixed borders. Prune in early summer to promote bushiness and mulch in winter.
Michaelmas Daisy (Aster novae-angliae)
Michaelmas daisies, also called New England asters, produce clusters of small, star-shaped blooms in purple, pink, or white with yellow centers. Hardy in Zones 4-8, these perennials grow 3-6 feet tall and bloom in late summer to fall, attracting pollinators. Ideal for mixed borders or wildflower gardens, they prefer full sun and moist, well-drained soil.
Seaside Daisy (Erigeron glaucus)
Seaside daisies, native to coastal regions, feature lavender or white petals with yellow centers. Hardy in Zones 5-8, they grow 6-12 inches tall, making them perfect for rock gardens or coastal landscapes. These perennials bloom from spring to summer in full sun and tolerate salty, windy conditions with minimal watering.
Crown Daisy (Glebionis coronaria)
Also known as garland daisy, this annual daisy boasts bright yellow or white blooms with yellow centers. Growing 1-3 feet tall, it thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, blooming from spring to summer. Its edible leaves and flowers make it a unique addition to herb gardens or sunny borders.
Fleabane Daisy (Erigeron speciosus)
Fleabane daisies produce delicate lavender, pink, or white blooms with yellow centers. Hardy in Zones 3-8, these perennials grow 1-2 feet tall and bloom from summer to early fall. They’re drought-tolerant and ideal for rock gardens or naturalistic plantings, thriving in full sun with minimal care.
Zion Daisy (Coreopsis verticillata)
Often called threadleaf coreopsis, Zion daisies feature golden-yellow, star-shaped blooms on wispy foliage. Hardy in Zones 3-9, they grow 1-2 feet tall and bloom from summer to fall. Drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, they’re perfect for borders or wildflower meadows in full sun.
Arctotis Daisy (Arctotis hybrida)
Arctotis, or African daisies, dazzle with vibrant orange, pink, or red blooms and silvery-green foliage. Hardy in Zones 9-11 but grown as annuals elsewhere, they reach 1=12-18 inches tall. They bloom from spring to summer in full sun, ideal for containers or sunny borders, preferring well-drained soil.
Lazy Daisy (Aphanostephus skirrhobasis)
Lazy daisies are small, white annuals with yellow centers, native to the southern U.S. Growing 1-2 feet tall, they bloom from spring to summer in full sun. Their delicate appearance suits wildflower gardens or cottage-style beds, and they self-seed easily, requiring minimal care in well-drained soil.
Santa Barbara Daisy (Erigeron karvinskianus)
Santa Barbara daisies produce masses of tiny white-to-pink blooms that fade to purple. Hardy in Zones 6-9, they grow 6-12 inches tall, perfect for ground cover or hanging baskets. Blooming from spring to fall, they thrive in full sun or partial shade and tolerate poor soils.
Golden Marguerite Daisy (Anthemis tinctoria)
Golden marguerites offer bright yellow or cream blooms with feathery foliage. Hardy in Zones 3-7, they grow 2-3 feet tall and bloom from summer to fall. They’re ideal for cottage gardens or cut flowers, preferring full sun and well-drained soil. Cut back after blooming to encourage reblooming.
Livingstone Daisy (Dorotheanthus bellidiformis)
Livingstone daisies are low-growing annuals with vibrant pink, red, or white blooms that open in sunlight. Growing 4-6 inches tall, they thrive in full sun and sandy soil, blooming from summer to fall. They’re perfect for rock gardens, containers, or as colorful ground cover.
Tickseed Daisy (Coreopsis grandiflora)
Tickseed daisies feature large, golden-yellow blooms with toothed petals. Hardy in Zones 4-9, they grow 1-2 feet tall and bloom from summer to fall. Drought-tolerant and easy to grow, they’re great for borders or naturalistic gardens, thriving in full sun with occasional deadheading.
Banana Cream Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum ‘Banana Cream’)
This Shasta daisy hybrid boasts creamy yellow blooms that mature to white, with yellow centers. Hardy in Zones 5-9, it grows 1-2 feet tall and blooms from summer to fall. Its compact size suits containers or borders, and it thrives in full sun with regular watering.
New York Daisy (Aster novi-belgii)
New York daisies, also known as Michaelmas daisies, feature clusters of small, violet, pink, or white blooms with yellow centers. Hardy in Zones 4-8, these perennials grow 2-4 feet tall and bloom from late summer to fall, attracting butterflies. Ideal for borders or cottage gardens, they thrive in full sun and moist, well-drained soil.
Coneflower Daisy (Echinacea purpurea)
Often called purple coneflower, this daisy-like perennial sports pinkish-purple petals with a spiky orange-brown center. Hardy in Zones 3-9, it grows 2-5 feet tall and blooms from summer to fall. Drought-tolerant and pollinator-friendly, it’s perfect for prairies or mixed beds, preferring full sun and well-drained soil.
Ice Plant Daisy (Delosperma cooperi)
Ice plant daisies produce shimmering pink, purple, or yellow blooms that resemble daisies. Hardy in Zones 6-10, these low-growing succulents reach 3-6 inches tall, blooming from summer to fall. They’re ideal for rock gardens or as ground cover in sunny, dry conditions with sandy, well-drained soil.
Showy Daisy (Euryops pectinatus)
Showy daisies, or bush daisies, feature bright yellow blooms on evergreen shrubs. Hardy in Zones 8-11, they grow 2-3 feet tall and bloom nearly year-round in warm climates. Perfect for coastal gardens or containers, they thrive in full sun and tolerate drought, requiring well-drained soil.
Whorled Daisy (Coreopsis verticillata ‘Moonbeam’)
This threadleaf coreopsis cultivar boasts soft yellow, star-shaped blooms on fine foliage. Hardy in Zones 3-9, it grows 1-2 feet tall and blooms from summer to fall. Its airy texture suits borders or rock gardens, and it’s drought-tolerant, thriving in full sun with minimal care.
Spanish Daisy (Erigeron linifolius)
Spanish daisies produce small white or pink blooms with yellow centers. Hardy in Zones 5-9, these perennials grow 1-2 feet tall and bloom from spring to summer. Their compact habit makes them great for rock gardens or borders, and they prefer full sun and well-drained soil.
Cosmos Daisy (Cosmos bipinnatus)
Cosmos daisies offer airy, pink, white, or red blooms with yellow centers on feathery foliage. Grown as annuals, they reach 2-6 feet tall and bloom from summer to frost. Perfect for cottage gardens or wildflower mixes, they self-seed readily and thrive in full sun with poor to average soil.
Desert Star Daisy (Monoptilon bellioides)
Desert star daisies are tiny annuals with white or pink blooms and yellow centers. Growing just 2-4 inches tall, they bloom in spring in full sun, ideal for desert gardens or rockeries. Native to the Southwest U.S., they tolerate arid conditions and require well-drained, sandy soil.
Chamomile Daisy (Chamaemelum nobile)
Chamomile daisies produce small white blooms with yellow centers and apple-scented foliage. Hardy in Zones 4-8, these perennials grow 6-12 inches tall and bloom in summer. Used for tea, they’re great for herb gardens or as lawn alternatives, preferring full sun and moist soil.
Prairie Daisy (Machaeranthera tanacetifolia)
Prairie daisies, or Tahoka daisies, feature lavender-blue petals with yellow centers. Annuals or short-lived perennials, they grow 1-2 feet tall and bloom from summer to fall. Native to the western U.S., they’re perfect for wildflower gardens, thriving in full sun and dry, well-drained soil.
Butterfly Daisy (Gaillardia aristata)
Also called blanket flower, butterfly daisies display red, yellow, or orange blooms with banded patterns. Hardy in Zones 3-10, they grow 1-3 feet tall and bloom from summer to fall. Drought-tolerant and pollinator-friendly, they suit borders or prairies, preferring full sun and lean soil.
Becky Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum ‘Becky’)
A Shasta daisy cultivar, Becky daisies boast large white blooms with yellow centers on sturdy stems. Hardy in Zones 5-9, they grow 3-4 feet tall and bloom from summer to fall. Ideal for cut flowers or borders, they thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, resisting heat and humidity.
Why Include These Daisies in Your Garden?
These daisy varieties offer a spectrum of colors, heights, and bloom seasons, from the towering Cosmos to the tiny Desert Star. Most are low-maintenance, attract pollinators, and adapt to various conditions, making them versatile for any garden style. Deadheading and proper spacing ensure vibrant displays, but check local guidelines, as some, like New York daisies, can spread aggressively.
Tips for Growing Daisies
- Sunlight: Provide 6+ hours of direct sun; some tolerate partial shade.
- Soil: Use well-drained soil, enriched with compost for nutrient-loving varieties.
- Watering: Water moderately; drought-tolerant types need less frequent watering.
- Maintenance: Deadhead to prolong blooms, divide perennials every 2-3 years, and watch for pests like aphids or fungal diseases.