Daisy Varieties: 34 Stunning Types for Every Garden

Daisies are beloved worldwide for their cheerful blooms, long-lasting color, and adaptability to a wide range of conditions. From the iconic Shasta daisy to rare wildflowers, this guide will introduce you to 34 different daisy varieties, each with unique characteristics and cultivation tips to help you transform your garden into a vibrant oasis.

Why Grow Daisies?

• Attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies
• Wide range of sizes, colors, and bloom times
• Suitable for borders, wildflower meadows, and cut flower arrangements
• Most are low-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established

34 Dazzling Daisy Varieties

Discover the breadth and beauty of daisies from across the world. For each daisy, you’ll find its scientific name, plant type, origin, ideal growing conditions, and a brief description of its appearance and benefits.

1. Blushing Daisy (Gerbera viridifolia)

• Type: Perennial
• Origin: South Africa
• Sun: Full Sun
• Size: 1–2 feet tall
• USDA Zone: 8–11

This hybrid Gerbera features delicate mauve-purple petals and a dark center. It thrives in full sun, attracts honeybees, and prefers well-drained, stony soils or grasslands. Expect spring blooms, with occasional flowers throughout the year.
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2. English Daisy (Bellis perennis)

• Type: Perennial
• Origin: Europe (widely naturalized)
• Sun: Shade to light sun
• Size: 6–12 inches tall
• USDA Zone: 4–8

The classic “lawn daisy”, English daisies bloom in blue, white, pink, and red from April to June. Vigorous and mat-forming, they are sometimes considered weedy but add charm to meadow plantings.
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3. Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum × superbum)

• Type: Perennial
• Origin: Only in cultivation (hybrid)
• Sun: Full sun
• Size: 24–36 inches tall, 12–24 inches wide
• USDA Zone: 5–9

Shasta daisies have large, crisp white petals and bright yellow centers. These are perfect for cutting and attract bees and butterflies. The plants are long-lived, with summer-long blooms.
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4. Painted Daisy (Tanacetum coccineum)

• Type: Perennial
• Origin: Caucasus
• Sun: Full sun
• Size: Up to 2–3 feet tall

Painted daisies provide vibrant color with singles and doubles in shades of pink, red, and white. They make excellent cut flowers and are noted for their pest-repelling properties.
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5. Blue Marguerite Daisy (Felicia amelloides)

• Type: Perennial (often grown as annual in cooler zones)
• Origin: South Africa
• Sun: Full sun
• Size: 12–24 inches
• USDA Zone: 10 and up

Sky-blue petals with a gold center make this daisy a unique choice. It thrives in mild summers and attracts pollinators.
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6. Cape Daisy (Dimorphotheca ecklonis)

• Type: Perennial (often annual in cooler climates)
• Origin: South Africa
• Sun: Full sun
• Size: Up to 4 feet tall, 3 feet wide
• USDA Zone: 9 and up

This bushy plant showcases daisy-like flowers in purple, yellow, and white and is adored by bees.
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7. Indian Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum indicum)

• Type: Perennial
• Origin: Asia
• Sun: Full sun
• USDA Zone: 4–9

This darling of the autumn garden offers blooms through summer to fall and is also used to make tea.
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Other Notable Daisy Varieties

• Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare): A wildflower with classic white petals and yellow center, naturalized in meadows and roadsides.
• Gloriosa Daisy (Rudbeckia hirta): Golden petals with a dark brown center, often called “Black-eyed Susan.”
• African Daisy (Osteospermum spp.): Showy, vividly colored blooms (purple, orange, yellow, white) that are highly tolerant of heat and drought.
• Michaelmas Daisy (Symphyotrichum novi-belgii): Late summer to autumn blooms in various purples, blues, and whites.
• Marguerite Daisy (Argyranthemum frutescens): Features neat, mounded foliage and prolific white or yellow flowers.
• Seaside Daisy (Erigeron glaucus): Low-growing, salt-tolerant, and well-suited to coastal gardens.
• Swan River Daisy (Brachyscome iberidifolia): Small, delicate, lavender or blue flowers; perfect for borders.
• Tatarian Daisy (Aster tataricus): Tall, late-blooming, with clusters of lavender to purple flowers.
• African Cape Marigold (Dimorphotheca sinuata): Orange and yellow daisy blooms that love hot, dry sites.
• Desert Star Daisy (Monoptilon bellioides): Tiny, desert-adapted daisies with white petals and yellow centers.

Daisy Growth and Care Tips

• Soil: Well-draining soil is essential. Most daisies tolerate average to poor soils but dislike being waterlogged.
• Sun: Nearly all varieties prefer full sun. Some, such as English daisies, tolerate partial shade.
• Water: Water young plants regularly until established. Once mature, most are drought-tolerant.
• Spacing: Allow adequate airflow to prevent powdery mildew and fungal diseases.
• Deadheading: Remove spent blooms to encourage more flowers and extend blooming season.
• Winter Care: Mulch perennials in colder areas and cut back dead stems after frost.

Quick Comparison Table of Selected Daisy Varieties

Design Ideas with Daisies

• Meadows and Borders: Mix tall varieties like Shasta and Gloriosa daisies with shorter ground covers such as Swan River or English daisies.
• Containers: Choose compact daisies like Marguerite or African daisies for bright patios and small spaces.
• Cut Flower Gardens: Classic Shasta daisies and Painted daisies provide long-lasting blooms in vases.
• Pollinator Gardens: Plant a swathe of daisy varieties to support bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the easiest daisy to grow for beginners?

A: The Shasta daisy is one of the easiest and most reliable daisies to grow, thriving in a wide range of gardens and climates. It is hardy, long-lived, and blooms all summer.
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Q: Are daisies good for pollinators?

A: Yes! Most daisy varieties are excellent for attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects to the garden.
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Q: How do I prevent daisies from becoming invasive?

A: Deadhead flowers before they set seed, and dig up unwanted clumps in spring or fall. Some species (like Oxeye daisy) can spread aggressively in some regions.

Q: Can I grow daisies in containers?

A: Absolutely! Choose compact or dwarf varieties and provide good drainage.

Q: Do daisies need a lot of water?

A: Established daisies are drought-tolerant but need regular moisture to establish strong roots, especially in their first season.

Conclusion

Daisies offer an incredible array of forms, colors, and bloom times, making them a must-have for gardeners of all skill levels. Whether you prefer wild and natural meadows or structured flower beds, there’s a daisy variety for every space. With minimal care, these resilient blooms will provide lasting beauty season after season. Add some daisy varieties to your next planting for a cheerful, pollinator-friendly, and easy-to-maintain garden!

Author

Shinta

 

Shinta is a biotechnologist turned writer. She holds a master's degree in Biotechnology from Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences and a PG Diploma in cellular and molecular diagnostics from Manipal University. Shinta realised her love for content while working as an editor for a scientific journal.

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