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17 dazzling daisy varieties to brighten any garden
Think you know every kind of daisy out there? Think again.
Part of the Asteraceae family, the daisy is rumoured to get its name from the Old English phrase “daes eage,” or “day’s eye,” because the petals close around the golden centre at night and re-open in the morning
A symbol of purity, loyalty, patience, and simplicity, this beautiful bloomer comes many colours and sizes – the classic daisy chain-style one with white petals and a yellow centre is just the start.
In fact, there are over 20,00 types of daisies and, according to scientists, some varieties could have existed at the time of the dinosaurs.
Due to their flexible nature, daisies now grow everywhere in the world (except for Antarctica). There are tropical daisies, desert daisies, cold-tolerant daisies and daisies that love salty breezes by the sea. Daisies can grow in wet environments, dry environments, in full sun or shady spots. They are true chameleons.
Loved by pollinators like bees and butterflies, some daisies are also edible, so perfect for garnishing cakes and cupcakes when making desserts.
Read on to find the right daisy for you. It may just be the traditional little white flower taking over your lawn – and that's okay. They're beautiful, too.
Find more flowers to plant:
Golden Shrub Daisy (Euryops pectinatus)
This evergreen (its foliage is a striking grey-green colour) will bloom year round in warm climates. It's native to South Africa, likes full sun, and well-draining soil. It can even handle a bit of salt so it's a great choice if you live near the beach.
Blooms: Year round in warm climates
Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)
Also called Indian Blanket, this is certainly one showy daisy. Red, pink, or peach petals fringed with yellow make this a garden favourite. This drought-tolerant daisy loves full sun.
Blooms: Early Summer and autumn
Coneflower (Echinacea)
Known for its pink purple leaves and orange centre, this daisy is used as a medicinal herb to boost immunity this hearty plant looks great in any garden bed. Drought tolerant once established, it's also rabbit-resistant.
Golden Marguerite (Anthemis tinctoria)
Also known as Golden Chamomile or Boston Daisy this perennial is native to Europe and Western Asia and blooms throughout the autumn. This is a perfect fit for a cottage-style garden.
Blooms: Summer into autumn
Field Daisy (Bellis perennis)
Also known as the English Daisy, this is the archetypal daisy wildflower. You might find them taking over a lawn, or sprouting along roadsides, but they're also perfectly lovely along garden paths.
Blooms: Spring and Summer
Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)
Gerbera daisies (also called barberton or transvaal daisies) come in a wide variety of bright colours, from red and pink to orange and yellow. They're beloved by pollinators and have a good, long bloom, making them great garden flowers.
Blooms: Late spring through autumn
Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum × superbum)
The Shasta daisy is a low-maintenance perennial plant that looks like the common daisy but grows in bushes that span about 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide, making it much larger, and more impressive than the smaller wildflower.
They're great for achieving that classic daisy look, and are one of the more popular varieties to plant. Their tall stems also make them great for cut flower arrangements.
Blooms: Spring and Summer
Gloriosa Daisy (Rudbeckia hirta)
Technically gloriosa daisies are cultivars of black-eyed Susans. Though many use the names interchangeably, gloriosas tend to be larger and showier than wild black-eyed Susans. They can be grown as short-lived perennials or as annuals.
Blooms: Late summer and early autumn
Blue Marguerite Daisy (Felicia amelloides)
A South African native, the blue marguerite daisy is known for its sky-blue petals and bright yellow centre. It grows best in mild summer temperatures.
Blooms: Mid to late summer
Marguerite Daisy (Argyranthemum frutescens)
The marguerite daisy is an annual native to the Spanish Canary Islands. This beauty demands plenty of sunlight, a well-draining soil, and a warm temperature. In return it offers fragrant flowers sprouting from a low shrub.
Blooms: Summer through autumn
Aster Daisy (Aster amellus)
Also called Michaelmas Daisies, asters are in the daisy family. These tough wildflowers are typically lilac or purple with a long bloom time. Pollinators love them, and they make a great border flower.
Blooms: Late summer to mid-autumn
German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
There are actually two types of chamomile – Roman chamomile and German chamomile. German chamomile is an annual, but it also makes the sweeter more delicious herbal tea. Both are in the daisy family.
Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)
A popular daisy for grasslands and meadows, the oxeye daisy typically grows to be about 20 inches tall and needs well-draining soil to thrive.
Crown Daisy (Glebionis coronaria)
These beautiful Crown daisies make great border plants, growing 2 to 4 feet tall with lovely yellow and white flowers.
Even better, they're an edible annual plant. You can find the leaves in many Asian supermarkets, labeled "chrysanthemum greens."
Blooms: Late spring to early autumn
Livingstone Daisy (Cleretum bellidiforme)
Characterised by their dark centres and pink, orange, yellow, and white petals, Livingstone daisies are not true daisies. In fact, they're succulents.
The plants thrive in temperate, sunny conditions and are tolerant of sea salt, making them perfect additions to seaside gardens. They're not great with cold, however.
Painted Daisy (Tanacetum coccineum)
The brightly-coloured painted daisy comes in a variety of hues and is popular for its ability to attract butterflies and repel pesky insects.
Blooms: Summer
Chocolate Daisy (Berlandiera lyrata)
The chocolate daisy is a drought-resistant plant that is easy to grow from seeds and blooms from early spring through late autumn.
Blooms: Spring to autumn
Christopher Michel is the former Senior Food and Gardens Editor at Country Living Magazine. Chris has well over a decade of experience writing and editing for national magazines and websites, mostly in the food space, such as Cooking Light, The Kitchn, Rodale’s Organic Life, and Bon Appetit. Prior to that, Chris worked in a variety of food spaces in New York City. In 2022, Chris completed the Alabama Master Gardener’s Program hosted by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Chris lives in Birmingham, AL, where he enjoys running, reading, and cooking for his wife and two girls.
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