How to Grow Shasta Daisy

Overview

When you imagine the classic white daisy with a yellow center reminiscent of an egg yolk, you are thinking of a shasta daisy. They are easy to grow and connote a simple, fresh and happy mood. Shasta daisies are grown in beds and borders and also in cutting gardens specifically for use in flower arrangements. They thrive in a full sun exposure in well drained soil that is moist but not consistently wet. They are hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9 and bloom in the summer and fall.

Step 1

Grow your shasta daisies in a location that receives full sun to partial daily shade. Full sun in cooler climes will ensure optimal blooming.

Step 2

Plant shasta daisies in nutrient rich soil that holds moisture but is well drained enough so that water does not pool in the soil. Amend weak soil with well aged manure and compost to boost the nutrient content. Set multiple plants at intervals of 18 to 24-inches apart.

Step 3

Water in the new plantings deeply and maintain evenly moist but not wet soil throughout the growing season. Lay down a 2 to 3-inch blanket of shredded bark or cocoa bean hulls mulch to keep down competitive weeds and preserve moisture in the surrounding soil.

Step 4

Feed your shasta daisies with a general purpose water soluble fertilizer according to the label directions. Feed once in the early spring over wet soil and again in the fall after flowering to bolster the plant for winter and prepare for next spring's bloom.

Step 5

Harvest your shasta daisies for household arrangements by cutting down the stem to the base of the plant with clean sharp secateurs. Deadhead fading daisy blooms to trigger new flower production. Cut down any dead or damaged foliage in the late fall or early spring to make way for new growth.