Gorgeous summer flowers, daisies come packed with charm and cheer. Learn more about their different types and varieties, how to make them last, and how to use them in your DIY floral arrangements.
Fascinating Facts About the Daisy Flower
- The name Daisy was derived from the Old English phrase “daes eag,” which means day’s eye. Apparently, because this flower blooms in the morning and closes in the evening.
- The daisy is actually made up of two flowers: the disk florets (the yellow center) and the petal florets (the long delicate and sometimes colorful petals around it).
- Beautiful as it may, the daisy flower is actually regarded as a stubborn weed in some parts of the United "He Loves Me He Loves Me Not"
- Daisies can survive anywhere in the world, except Antarctica.
- The daisy is an edible flower, particularly the ox-eye daisies. Its leaves and blooms are actually used as a garnish or to add a mild buttery and bitter flavor in fresh garden salads.
- The book, A Victorian Flower Dictionary, says daisies represent innocence and purity.
- In Norse mythology, the daisy is the sacred flower of Freya, the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility.
- The biggest game of "He Loves Me He Loves Me Not" happened in Milan, Italy back on April 18, 2009, where 331 people plucked petals out of daisy flowers.
The Most Popular Types of Daisies
When most people hear the word “daisies,” they automatically think about the classic flower with white petals and yellow center. In truth, the beauty and diversity of daisies go way beyond that. Today, there are numerous species and varieties of daisies that bloom in every imaginable size, shape, and vibrant hues.
- English Daisy – Botanically known as the Bellis perennis, it is also called the common daisy or the lawn daisy. The English daisy is from Europe but has become abundant in other parts of the world, too. It’s the iconic daisy with white petals and yellow center that grows 2 to 3 centimeter in diameter. English daisies bloom in springtime.
- Gerbera Daisy – The top favorite among florists and brides, Gerbera daisies come in delightful colors. A native to South Africa, this type of daisy loves a good soak of morning sun and is hardy in zones 9 to 11. Gorgeous cultivars include Lollipop Gerber daisy, Festival, and Cartwheel Chardonnay.
- Shasta Daisy – This daisy flower hybrid was created by botanist, Luther Burbank, in Mt. Shasta, California using other types of daisies, including Ox-eye Daisy. This daisy flower blooms from early summer to fall. A Shasta daisy plant usually reaches a height of 2 to 3 feet. It looks almost identical to the English daisy but with dark green leaves.
- Ox-eye Daisy – Otherwise identified as Leucanthemum vulgare in the world of botany, ox-eye daisies also come from Europe. This vigorous wildflower spreads effortlessly in no time that it is also considered a weed.
- African daisy – Scientifically known as Osteospermum, this dainty South African native blooms in the summer and comes in a wide array of cheerful colors, including white, pink, yellow, and blue. African daisies love being exposed to full sun.
How to Use Daisies in DIY Flower Arrangements
With their big and perfectly shaped flower heads, you can never go wrong when using daisies. Use them as you please in any kind of floral design, whether it be an elegant monofloral arrangement or a colorful mixed flower arrangement.
Get the most out of your daisy flowers with these practical florist tips:
- Shop your local flower market in the morning. Daisies and other types of flowers are always at their freshest state during this time.
- Choose daisy flowers with protective cup-shaped plastic films. They have a better chance of surviving the commute back home. Without the protective plastic, the petals would fall off one by one and would all be gone before you know it.
- Prep your daisy flowers by cutting the stems at a 45-degree angle and removing the wilted leaves with a clean knife.
- Only fill your vase with shallow warm water, probably about an inch. This way you won’t have soggy, weak stems that’ll decay faster.
- Change the water in your flower vase whenever you see a hint of discoloration. Trim the ends of the stems of your daisies afterward for longer-lasting flowers.
Also read: How To Make Cut Flowers Last Longer. - When using a floral foam, make it a point that it’s completely soaked with water. Gerbera daisies are especially thirsty.
- To create a perfect ball of daisy floral arrangement, put the tallest flowers in the center, with each next ring an inch shorter.
- To keep your gerbera daisies longer, make sure you only display your cut flowers in a cool area out of direct sunlight and drafts.
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