Daisy flowers are the archetype of summer blooms, bringing sunny, cheerful colors to garden beds and containers. They are easy to grow from either plant starts or seeds. With careful attention, they provide a long season of bold splashes of color in your landscape. Whether you opt to grow them as annuals or perennials, they are tough enough to last winter.
Perennial daisies, including the gerbera daisy (Gerbera jamesonii), brim over with vibrant flowers that come in a rainbow of colors. Plant them in well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter and planted in full sun to enjoy a long season of repeating blooms. Choose a single flower color or mix several to create eye-catching bouquets.
The swan river daisy, Brachyscome iberidifolia, is another warm-weather perennial with cheerful flowers that work with a variety of other plants. It is a good choice for planting in areas of the garden that are not shaded, such as the border. Like other perennial daisies, it requires regular dividing to keep vigorous and productive.
For a more long-lasting display, a hardy, perennial version of the daisy known as the cobbitty daisy (Argyranthemum frutescens), blooms from iris time through to first frost in most growing zones. It is a reliable garden performer, especially when surrounded by low-maintenance shrubs that offer year-round interest, such as the fragrant sweet olive (Oleaster) and the clumping blue borage (Borago officinalis). Tuck mulch around its roots to help protect it from cold temperatures during the winter.