Plants With Large Daisy-like Flowers

Flowering members of the aster/daisy family produce daisy-like flowers characterized by dense layers of petals and a sunny, bright-yellow center. Daisies are among the most easily recognizable garden plants, and dozens of varieties are available commercially. Gardeners who want to cultivate showy daisies have a selection of plants with large, daisy-like flowers from which to choose.

A native of the United States, purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is a flowering perennial commonly used in beds and borders. The plant grows up to 5 feet tall, producing pink or lavender flowers that resemble daisies. The flowers of the plant are quite large, growing to be about 6 inches in diameter. Flowers begin appearing in late summer, continuing on into autumn. Purple coneflower thrive if grown in full sunlight in USDA zones 3 to 9. Plant the flower in a well draining, deep soil, and only water during extreme summer droughts. Purple coneflower is a hardy flower that can tolerate poor soils and brief periods of drought.

A member of the aster/daisy family, black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is a flowering plant that may be grown as an annual or perennial. A native of North America, black-eyed Susan can be found in the wild and in gardens throughout British Columbia and the United States. The pant typically grows to be 2 to 3 feet high, producing showy yellow and black flowers that are about 3 inches in diameter. The summer-blooming flower has a tremendous range, and can be grown anywhere from USDA zone 3 to USDA zone 10. Plant the drought-tolerant flower in a full-sun location in well draining, rocky or sandy soil.

A native of South Africa, the Gerber daisy (Gerbera Jamesonii) is a flowering perennial commonly grown as an indoor container plant and an outdoor bedding plant. The Gerber daisy is a stout, low-growing plant that produces showy daisy flowers that are between 2 1/2 to 4 inches in diameter. The flowers are available in a range of colors, from orange. pink, red to white and variegated. Gerber daisy is best suited to a sunny location in USDA zones 9 to 11. Plant in a well draining sandy loam, and fertilize often during the growing season to encourage flowering.