Daisy

                      Daisy 

Daisies are simple yet sophisticated and one of the most beautiful flowers in the floral world. Daisies convey cheer and exuberance in spades. Not surprisingly, daisies are popular both for gifting and growing in gardens.

Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Phylum:	Anthophyta
Class    :	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Genus:	Bellis

Daisies belong to the Daisy Family of Compositae, now known as Asteraceae in flowering plants. Daisies are native to north and central Europe.

The origin of the word Daisy is Anglo Saxon “daes eage” literally meaning “day’s eye”. It was called this because daisies open at dawn as the day is just beginning.

A Daisy symbolizes innocence and purity. It can also symbolize new beginnings. The flower meaning of daisy is “loyal love”, “I will never tell”.

Daisy Flower and Plant

A Daisy flower is composed of white petals and yellow centers, although the flowers are sometimes a pink or rose color.

Daisies are not one flower. A Daisy is made up of two types of flowers - disk florets and petal-like white ray florets. The Disk florets are at the center and the ray florets are at the periphery. But these are arranged to give the impression of being a single flower. This arrangement on Daisies is a type of inflorescence known as a capitulum.

Stems of Daisies are smooth and leafless and support a single flower. Daisy plants have 3 - 4 inch flower stalks. The Daisy leaf texture varies and may be smooth or hairy, narrow at the base and slightly lobed. The Daisy flower stalks are generally longer than the leaves.

It is a herbaceous plant with short creeping rhizomes and small rounded or spoon-shaped evergreen leaves 2–5 cm long, which grow close to ground. The flowerheads are 2–3 cm in diameter, with white ray florets (often tipped red) and yellow disc florets. Although many people think that the flower had a yellow centre with white petals this is not the case. Each individual "petal" is itself an individual flower. In the centre there are many tiny yellow flowers also. The different colours and styles of flower work together in order to attract insects. This type of flower is known as a composite flower. They are produced on leafless stems 2–10 cm (rarely 15 cm) tall. The lawn daisy is a dicot.

Growing Daisies

Daisies can be grown very easily. Daisies are hardy perennials.

• Daisies are commonly grown from seed. Daisies can be directly seeded into the flowerbed.
• Plant Daisies in full sun.
• Select a sunny location where they can grow undisturbed for years.
• Before planting, add generous amounts of manure and compost, so as the soil becomes rich and well draining.
• If Daisies are planted in an area which is too hot, then they should be shaded and watered regularly.
• Set the plants 9 to 12 inches apart.
• Water the plants regularly during dry periods.
• Add a general purpose fertilizer in the early growth stage, and once a month afterwards.

Daisies Care

• Generally Daisies are not bothered by insects and disease.
• If bothered by insects and disease, then treat Daisies with an insecticidal soap and or a fungicide.
• Just before the blooming, use a fertilizer high in Phosphorous as it helps to promote big, bright blooms.
• In cold weather regions, provide a thick layer of mulch for winter protection.

If you wish to know more about growing daisies and other flowers a good book on gardening would be a good thing to invest in.

Varieties 

Major Varieties of Daisies are,

·         Spanish Daisy,

·         Blue Daisy,

·         Lazy Daisy or Prairie Daisy,

·         African Daisy,

·         Michaelmas Daisy,

·         Swan River Daisy,

·         Tatarian Daisy,

·         Painted Daisy,

·         Paris Daisy,

·         Shasta Daisy,

·         Crown-Daisy,

·         Ox-eye Daisy,

·         Nippon Oxeye Daisy,

·         Giant Daisy,

·         African Daisy,

·         Kingfisher Daisy,

·         Sunshine Daisy,

·         Gerbera Daisy,

·         Transvaal Daisy or Barberton Daisy,

·         Tahoka Daisy,

·         Livingstone Daisy,

·         Gloriosa Daisy,

·         Dahlberg Daisy,

·         Butter Daisy. 

Some Interesting Facts About Daisies

• Daisy is a perennial whose evergreen leaves form a basal tuft or rosette.
• Daisy flower plant has a prostrate or spreading growing habit.
• Daisies can be propagated by division in spring or sowing seeds in spring or late autumn.
• English Daisy is a serious weed in the northwest United States.
• The Daisy flowers open at dawn and are visited by many small insects.
• Daisies are used by children to make daisy chains.
• Daisy leaves are edible and can be used in salads.