Garden Plants of the Daisy Family

• Daisies are members of the Asteraceae family, which contains over 20,000 species of plants. In the United States, many flowering varieties of daisies are used in gardening and are available in a wide array of blossom colors and petal sizes. Small daisy plants can be used as ground cover for large bedding areas, while the tall varieties provide height variation combined with other flowering plants.

Annual Daisy

• The annual daisy

  Bellis annua is commonly referred to as the annual daisy. Native to parts of Europe, the Mediterranean and North Africa, it grows commonly in gardens in the United States. The annual daisy features white flower petals with a yellow center. Plant in full sun in early spring.

English Daisy

• English daisies are native to Europe and the British Isles.

  Bellis perennis is a European flowering plant. Referred to as the common daisy or the English daisy, the plant is a very common perennial in the United States. Plant in sun or partial shade. The plant blooms in late spring through mid-fall. Blooms range in color from pink to white.

African Daisy

• The African daisy

  Dimorphotheca aurantiaca is commonly known as the African daisy. A native of South Africa, the plant is a perennial grown throughout the United States. African daisies grow twelve to eighteen inches tall and bloom from April to August. Plant in full sun in quality, well draining soil. Water every three days unless it rains.

Gerbera Daisy

• The Gerbera Daisy is often used in bouquets.

  The Gerbera daisy is a popular perennial in the United States. Prized for its vibrant blooms and large flowers, the Gerbera daisy is a common daisy species found in garden supply centers. Averaging ten to 18 inches in height, the plant’s blooms come in red, yellow, orange or white. Plant in full to part sun, and water regularly.

Ox-eye Daisy

• The ox-eye daisy is a prolific bloomer.

  The ox-eye daisy, leucanthemum vulgare, is a prolific blooming daisy with a yellow center and white flower petals. Averaging 15 to 36 inches tall, the flowers bloom in late spring and last through the early summer. An excessive re-seeding plant, the ox-eye daisy can become a pest. Plant in full sun; water the plant moderately.

Marguerite Daisy

• The Marguerite daisy

  The Marguerite daisy, argyranthemum, is a cool-weather annual which blooms in spring and fall. Ideal for containers, beds and borders, Marguerite daisies are also used for bouquets and as a butterfly attracter. Blooms come in white, pink or yellow. Plant in part sun. Water moderately, keeping the soil moist.