What are daisies but bigger?

Daisies are a classic flower that most people are familiar with. They have white petals and a yellow center. Daisies are relatively small flowers, usually less than 3 inches across. But what if there was a daisy that was much bigger in size? That’s where giant daisies come in!

Giant daisies, also known as giant oxeye daisies, are very similar to regular daisies except much larger. They can grow over 12 inches across, with massive white petals surrounding an equally giant yellow center. So in essence, giant daisies are daisies, just supersized!

In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about giant daisies:

What exactly are giant daisies?

Giant daisies belong to the Leucanthemum genus, which contains about 40 species of daisy-like flowers. The most common giant daisy species is Leucanthemum maximum, also known as the max chrysanthemum or giant oxeye daisy.

Like regular daisies, giant daisies have characteristic white ray florets (petals) surrounding a yellow disk floret center. The main difference is simply the size – giant daisy flower heads can grow over 12 inches in diameter.

Giant daisies are perennial flowers with a long blooming period, generally from early summer to early fall. The tall stems can reach heights of 4-6 feet.

Where do giant daisies grow?

Giant daisies are native to Europe, specifically France and Portugal. However, they have naturalized in many other temperate regions around the world.

In the United States, giant daisies are most commonly found along the eastern seaboard and in the Pacific Northwest. They thrive in coastal areas and mountain meadows. Giant daisies prefer full sun exposure and moist, well-drained soil.

When grown as ornamentals, giant daisies can adapt to many soil types and light conditions. With proper care, they grow well in gardens and borders across USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9.

How do giant daisies differ from regular daisies?

Here’s a quick overview of the key differences between giant daisies and standard daisies:

Characteristic	Giant Daisy	Regular Daisy
Size	Flower heads over 12 inches diameter	Flower heads under 3 inches diameter
Height	4-6 feet tall	6 inches to 2 feet tall
Ideal conditions	Full sun, moist soil	Full sun, average garden soil
Native range	Europe	Europe, Asia, Africa

As you can see, the main differences come down to size and stature. Giant daisies grow much larger and taller than standard daisies. They also prefer more moisture. But structurally the flowers are quite similar.

What are giant daisies used for?

Giant daisies are primarily grown as ornamental plants. Their huge, showy blooms provide incredible visual impact in gardens and flower arrangements.

In cut flower production, giant daisy stems are highly valued for their long vase life. The blooms last up to 2 weeks after cutting.

Giant daisy flowers are also used to flavor wines, teas, salads and other foods. The petals and leaves have a mild, sweet flavor.

In herbal medicine, giant daisy extracts are sometimes used for their anti-inflammatory effects. However, they should be used carefully as high doses can cause toxicity.

Growing Giant Daisies

If you want to grow giant daisies yourself, here are some key tips:

When to plant

Giant daisies are best planted in spring or fall, when temperatures are cool. Avoid planting in summer heat. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Or plant nursery transplants after the last frost.

Sun and soil requirements

Choose a site with full sun exposure (at least 6 hours direct sun per day). Giant daisies need consistently moist, well-drained soil. Add compost to improve drainage in heavy clay soils.

Planting instructions

Space giant daisy plants 18-24 inches apart. Dig holes twice as wide and deep as the root ball. Set the plant in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Fill in around the roots and tamp soil gently. Water thoroughly after planting.

Care and maintenance

Giant daisies require regular watering, especially during hot, dry periods. Give them 1-2 inches per week. Fertilize in spring with a balanced organic fertilizer. Remove spent blooms to encourage reblooming. In fall, leave intact for winter interest. Cut back dead growth in late winter or early spring. Divide congested clumps every 2-3 years.

Pest and disease issues

Giant daisies are relatively pest and disease resistant. Monitor for common problems like aphids, spider mites, powdery mildew, and botrytis rot. Remove affected foliage promptly. Maintain good air circulation between plants.

Tips for Growing Giant Daisies

Here are some helpful tips for successfully growing giant daisies:

– Give giant daisies plenty of room -they need space to reach their full massive size.

– Stake tall stems to prevent flopping, especially in exposed, windy areas.

– Deadhead regularly by snipping off spent blooms. This encourages continued flowering.

– Avoid wetting the foliage when watering to reduce disease risk. Water at soil level.

– Mulch around the plants to conserve soil moisture and suppress weeds. Replenish the mulch annually.

– Wait until the second year to cut back plants. This allows them to establish a deep root system.

– Divide congested clumps every few years to rejuvenate the plants. Replant the divisions promptly.

– Grow giant daisies from seed for a more cost-effective way to add many plants to your garden.

Choosing Giant Daisy Varieties

There are several excellent giant daisy varieties to choose from:

‘Snow Lady’

A classic giant daisy cultivar that grows about 4 feet tall. It blooms heavily with bright white flowers up to 5 inches across. Stunning in borders or cut arrangements.

‘Aglaia’

Features fully double, fluffy white blooms on compact 2 foot tall plants. The pompom-like flowers are unique among giant daisies.

‘Crazy Daisy’

Lives up to its name with bold yellow-centered, white daisies on 4-5 foot stems. One of the showiest giant daisy varieties.

‘Alaska’

Rockstar performer with multitudes of giant, pristine white blooms and excellent disease resistance. Grows about 3 feet tall.

‘Sunspot’

Cheery red-flecked centers accent the bright white petals. More compact at 2-3 feet tall but still has big 6-8 inch blooms.

Where to Buy Giant Daisy Plants and Seeds

Giant daisies are gaining popularity, but may still be hard to find at local garden centers. Here are some top online sources:

– American Meadows – Specialty retailer offering a wide selection of giant daisy seeds.

– Burpee – Trusted source for seeds and live plants, including giant daisy varieties.

– Joy Creek Nursery – Oregon nursery offering several uncommon giant daisies.

– Etsy – Search for independent growers selling giant daisy plants and seeds.

– eBay – Listings for affordable seeds often shipped direct from growers.

– Amazon – Carries a limited but often inexpensive selection of seeds. Read seller reviews.

Check for sellers who ship to your climate zone. For live plants, order early while supplies last.

Overwintering Giant Daisies

Giant daisies are hardy perennials in zones 4-9. A few simple strategies will help them survive cold winters:

– Hold off cutting plants back until spring so foliage can protect crown.

– Mulch around the base with 2-4 inches of straw or chopped leaves.

– If winters are very wet, improvise shelters to keep crowns drier.

– Apply a balanced organic fertilizer in fall to strengthen plants.

– Water until ground freezes but avoid overwatering. Excess moisture raises freeze risk.

– Check for good drainage before winter. Improve it if needed to prevent waterlogging.

– Cover with a cold frame or fabric row cover if temperatures drop below -10° F.

– Select resilient giant daisy varieties like ‘Alaska’ and ‘Snow Lady’.

– Plant in a sheltered microclimate, protected from harsh wind.

With proper care, most giant daisies will return dependably for many years of outstanding performance.

Common Problems with Giant Daisies

When provided with suitable growing conditions, giant daisies are relatively trouble-free. But they can encounter a few potential problems:

Powdery Mildew

This fungal disease coats leaves with white powdery growth. It thrives in crowded, shady, humid conditions. Improve air circulation and avoid wetting foliage. Remove and destroy affected leaves promptly.

Botrytis Blight

Also called gray mold, this fungus induces a fuzzy gray rot on flowers, leaves and stems in cool, persistently damp weather. Keep plants spaced for airflow and tidy by removing dead debris.

Leaf Spot

Fungal leaf spots cause round, brown lesions on foliage. Pick off and discard affected leaves to reduce spread. Improve drainage and avoid crowding to limit humidity levels.

Aphids

These tiny sucking insects cluster on stems and undersides of leaves. Monitor regularly and spray off with a strong jet of water. In severe cases, use insecticidal soap sprays targeting the undersides of leaves.

Snails and Slugs

These pests chew ragged holes in foliage and flowers. Hand pick after moist weather or set out baited traps. Avoid moist mulch near crowns which attracts them.

Conclusion

For gardens that crave something showstopping, you can’t go wrong with giant daisies. Their dinner plate-sized blooms are sure to draw attention. By providing the right growing conditions, giant daisies will flourish and put on an unforgettable display. With minimal care, these beauties offer maximum wow factor. Let giant daisies supersize the impact of your flower beds and borders this growing season!