Bellis perennis Seeds | English Daisy
LATIN NAME: Bellis perennis
COMMON NAME: English Daisy
Plant Profile
Known to gardeners as English Daisy, Bellis perennis is a noteworthy species in the family Asteraceae. During flowering it gives bees and other insects a dependable food source. It is the sort of plant that quietly justifies the space it occupies.
Science & Biotechnology
Like other members of Asteraceae, Bellis perennis draws steady attention from botanists and plant breeders, who value the genus both as a subject of research and as a source of garden-worthy material. English Daisy is useful for studies of flowering phenology, inflorescence development, pollination and perennial growth. With present-day seed handling, raising this species well within the reach of any careful grower.
Uses & Benefits
In the garden, English Daisy earns its place in borders, containers and mixed plantings, and it also rewards growers who raise plants for cutting, drying or kitchen use. It is widely used in lawns, cottage gardens, meadow plantings and botanical education. Species also contributes pollen and nectar resources to small pollinating insects and can be incorporated into low-growing ecological landscapes. After the first season it asks for very little beyond a place that suits it.
The humble daisy has an old European folk record in wound and cough remedies, reflecting mild saponin and flavonoid content, though today it is loved mainly as a spring groundcover.
Growing from Seed
Raising English Daisy from seed is straightforward. Sow seed on a fine, moist medium and press it gently into contact with the surface. Maintain even moisture and good light, then transplant established seedlings into a sunny or lightly shaded position with well-drained soil. Level a tray of loose seed compost, sow evenly, cover to about the seed’s own depth, and keep it moist in full light. When the young plants are big enough to handle, space them into pots or a nursery row and let them size up before their final move.
Our Take
Once established, English Daisy largely looks after itself. Once the young plants are away, there is little left to do but watch them grow.
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