Leucanthemum maximum Seeds | Shasta Daisy
LATIN NAME: Leucanthemum maximum
COMMON NAME: Shasta Daisy
Plant Profile
A distinctive member of its genus, Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum maximum) is a sturdy, clumping perennial in the daisy family. Pollinating insects take to the flowers at once, adding a little wildlife interest to its garden value. Each of these traits is modest on its own; together they make a garden-worthy plant.
Science & Biotechnology
Like other members of the daisy family, Leucanthemum maximum 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. Classic flower form of the Shasta daisy gives it a long place in research on hardy border perennials of daisy family, and maximum species appears in studies of daisy breeding history and long-summer bloom. It is the kind of species that plant scientists reach for when they need reliable material for propagation and selection studies.
Uses & Benefits
In the garden, Shasta Daisy earns its place in borders, containers and mixed plantings, and it also rewards growers who raise plants for cutting, drying or kitchen use. In sunny border and cutting garden, the Shasta daisy wheels summer border with white daisies. Flowers fill vases for generations, they draw bees and butterflies, and plant makes fine, reliable clump. It grows well in moist, well-drained, sunny ground. Getting it going is easy; keeping it going is easier still.
Shasta daisies are the cheerful backbone of the summer border and make long-lasting cut flowers; they have no medicinal record.
Growing from Seed
Sow fresh seed of Shasta Daisy under ordinary good conditions. Sow thinly on the surface of a loose, well-drained seed compost, cover lightly, water in gently and keep the tray in a sunny spot with even moisture. Move strong seedlings into individual pots, keep them in good light, and set them out when the weather and their size agree.
Our Take
Shasta Daisy repays a little patience at sowing time with plenty of garden presence later.
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