Daisy May and Banana Cream Shasta Daisy

Daisy May® – Shasta Daisy – Leucanthemum

I wrote about this plant in May, which is when daisies usually bloom. I write about this shasta daisy again because it is remarkable and worthy of a place in your garden. Daisy May™Leucanthemum (Shasta daisy) is a much improved version of the old fashioned favorite.

This Shasta Daisy is back on the front page becau­se it is the end of September early October and blooming again. True, it's only a few blooms, but it is about the only white flower blooming in my garden.­

Daisy May™ is about 18” tall and crowded into a full-sun raised bed patio garden. In the Spring, this shasta daisy was lush with dark green foliage and bloomed longer than any other shasta daisies. That’s important because so many Shasta daisies bloom in a flash of white and are gone before you can get the camera or cut a bouquet. Daisy May continued to bloom for weeks after other shasta daisies were exhausted.

Deadheading spent flowers may encourage more blooms. The branching structure leads to 3 times the number of buds per stem compared to the old fashioned Leucanthemum. The bright white Shasta daisy has foliage is a deep, rich green.

Proven Winners says it is hardy to zone 5. My southeast Missouri garden is in zone 6 and Daisy May™ is bigger and prettier than the last year. It grows with no extra protection or attention. It was all but forgotten this fall until Daisy May started blooming again in late September.

I watered this Shasta daisy during the record breaking heat wave this summer. All the plants in that raised bed garden are mulched in the winter. That's about it. I'd have to say Daisy May has been given little attention and no extra fertilizer ( just a light application of compost each spring and fall)

This was a trial plant sent to me from Proven Winners. The first year, I was not impressed. But this hardy perennial just keeps getting prettier. It survived weeks of record breakin heat waves and two winters unprotected in a raised bed garden.

Daisy May™ reminds me of the phrase “repeat performer.” Cut a bouquet of this pretty flower, it will only encourage more springtime blooming. Bright white flowers bloom on sturdy green stems, perfect for cutting.

This daisy is growing a little bigger every year. It grows in well drained soil and full sun. No need for deadheading or pruning. In the three years I've had it, Daisy May™ has had no sign of disease or insect damage.

If you are looking for a dependable, carefree flower, consider this daisy. By the way, the Proven Winners site will tell you where to find the closest nursery or independent garden center that sells this plant. Before you do to the garden center, call the retailer to confirm product availability. If they don't have it, they may order it or suggest another plant that does well where you live.

Just as hardy and disease resistant as Daisy May, this lemon yellow variety will fit anywhere.

Expect huge 4-5”, lemon yellow flowers which brighten to creamy white. Well-budded plants have an extra long bloom time in summer. A vigorous grower with disease resistant, dark green foliage. Nice in pots or in the garden.

I like these cheerful daisies in big pots welcoming folks on the front porch. They get plenty of morning sun and just a bit of shade in the afternoon. And who doesn't appreciate a little afternoon shade on a hot summer day?

This was a trial plant sent to me from Proven Winners. The first year, I was not impressed. But this hardy perennial just keeps getting prettier. It survived weeks of record breakin heat waves and two winters unprotected in a raised bed garden.

It bloomed and repeated in fall for three years. Then, a record breaking cold spell hit. I lost dozens of perennials.

It just seems like any garden should have room for a few daisies. If you are growing a cutting garden, make sure to include them. A daisy is a multi purpose plant that I count on indoors and out.

Everybody loves daisies. They can be planted with any other color. Those big bright white blooms add a bright spot to a perennial bed.

The longer bloom time of Daisy May and Banana Cream make these one of my favorite daisies. They are well behaved and stay where you plant them, just getting a little bigger and fuller every year.

The bonus of having Daisy May in the garden is that I have a source for a few cut flowers. I like a simple, single daisy in a bud vase.

Either Daisy May or Banana Cream is pretty in a bud vase. These flowers have strong sturdy stems, are good for cut flowers and bud vases. Remove any leaves that would be in the water.

Daisies are in the Chrysanthemum family. After about 3 -5 years, it will be time to dig and divide daisies. Do this like you would divide mums.

Before digging up the old daisies, prepare the area where you will be planting the divisions. Enrich the soil with organic matter. Use pete, core, shredded leaf mulch, well rotted manure or compost.

Dividing or splitting daisies will stimulate growth and encourage more blooming. Dig the whole plant and divide the outer part of the plant. Discard the center, which is often nonproductive. Make sure each division has several healthy roots and a healthy top.