Types of Daisies
But daisies are a widely varied family of flowers, full of promise that most gardeners never even begin to dip into. Check out these varieties of the popular flower and see which ones you might want for your garden!
The Shasta Daisy
The old stand-by that everyone knows and loves, this flower has a yellow center with white petals. It is this classic that serves as the standard of comparison for all other daisies.
The Glorisa
A rugged, darker alternative to the Shasta, the Gloriosa has large golden petals surrounding a burnished red-black center that actually creeps out onto the petals a bit. It thrives in drier climates and has an exceptionally long vase life, so this is a good choice for indoor accents
The Purple Coneflower
A lovely dry-weather alternative to the Shasta, the Purple Coneflower has deep pink petals around a dark yellow center. Mix these in your flower bed with some Shastas for a beautiful pink and white contrasting flowerscape.
The English Daisy
Too often called a weed, particular in the Pacific northwest where it thrives, the English Daisy is a smaller, shorter alternative that grows in thick beds. They have a number of color variations and can make for a neat alternative to traditional daisy beds, espcially when their colors are mixed thoroughly. They like shade, too, which makes them ideal for flower beds that are otherwise neglected for lack of sun.
The Swan River Daisy
A pleasant, easy-going flower, the Swan River Daisy has lavender petals surrounding a yellow or black center. They grow taller than other varieties and can last very late into the season, only retiring with the first frost.
