How Do I Plant a Shasta Daisy?

The Shasta daisy (Chrysanthemum maximum) is a perennial that was originally discovered in Europe. This flower has a bright-yellow center that is surrounded by flat, white petals. The vibrant-green stems and leaves do not lose their color when cold weather arrives. Shasta daisies grow from 1 to 3 feet tall, depending on the variety. The seeds of this flower can be sown directly outdoors in a prepared location and take between 15 and 30 days to sprout.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

things you’ll need:

• Garden fork
• Garden spade
• Organic compost

1. Remove grass, weeds and rocks from the planting site. Loosen the soil to a depth of 4 inches with a garden fork.
2. Amend with a 3- to 4-inch layer of organic compost to add nutrients to the soil.
3. Sprinkle the seeds over the planting site and cover with 1/16-inch of soil. Water very carefully to avoid pushing the seeds too deeply into the soil, as they will not germinate without sufficient sunlight.
4. Water whenever the top of the soil feels dry to the touch.

Tips & Warnings

• Plant Shasta daisies in early spring.

• Spread a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch around the plants when they are 3 to 4 inches tall.

• Shasta daisies bloom the following year after planting.

• Do not over-water Shasta daisies, as the roots will rot if they remain too moist.