These Lawn Weeds Have Grown Up

English daisies hybrids and cultivars are coveted for their pompom-like flowers.

The original English daisy is a simple composite flower with a central disk surrounded by ray petals.

A white pompom English daisy cultivar.

A deep pink pompom cultivar.

English daisies make pretty ground covers.

As the pompom cultivars age, their petals give way to reveal the hidden yellow central disk.

English daisies spread readily in suitable conditions.

Keep soil moist with a layer of mulch.

Flowers emerge from a central crown surrounded by spoon shaped leaves,

Grape hyacinths and English daisies are perfect to pair together.

​Common Name:  English daisy, lawn daisy 
Botanical Name:  Bellis perennis
Form:    low growing, flattened rosette
Family:  Asteraceae
Genus:  Bellis
Species:  perennis
Plant Type: herbaceous perennial
Mature Size:  8 inches by 10 inches
Growth: fast
Origin:  Europe, Great Britain, North Africa
Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8
Foliage:  small spoon shaped leaves, up to 2” long,
Flowers: March to July, composite, ¾ - 11/4”in diameter, daisy-like, yellow central disk floret surrounded by white ray petals,
Fruit: one seed, dry, indehiscent fruit, achene
Exposure:  sun to partial shade
Soil:  prefers rich, moist, well-drained soils
Uses:  ground cover, wildflower gardens, containers, window boxes, also used as an annual
Propagation:  seeds, basal cuttings, rhizomes
Pruning:  deadhead to reduce self-sowing
​Problems:  does not tolerant dry soils, plants tend to die out in the south due to the heat and drought, in the north, plants spread by seeds, spreading crowns and rhizomes, common lawn weed in cool climates, no serious insects or diseases

Comments: 
English daisies often pop up in lawns in spring, hence their common name ‘lawn daisy’. They are considered weeds wherever summers aren’t too hot nor too dry. These temperate little perennials like it cool and wet and fade away when it isn’t. That’s why, in southern gardens, they are considered annuals as they don’t reappear the following year.
 
The flowers of English daises are heliotropic, which means their little faces follow the sun throughout the day. Blossoms sit singly atop leafless stems and emerge from a rosette of leaves. Their crown consists of short rhizomatous roots that multiply and form deep green mats, which are dotted above the ground with little daisies. Since they also self-sow, they can become a tad invasive, so dead head flowers before they set seed if you want to keep them in check.
 
The small daisy-like flowers of the common English daisy have come a long way, thanks to the work of plant breeders. Bigger flowers sit atop longer stems. Longer petals are in shades of pinks and reds, with brighter whites. There are now many varieties that don’t resemble the original daisy-type flower. Instead, they resemble pompons with so many petals that the central disk is hidden.
 
English daisies are perfect companions to spring flowering bulbs. They happily grow at their feet adding another layer of colour and interest. They are perfect for adding early and continuous interest to planters and window boxes. These neat and well-behaved little guys pop out flowers willy nilly, if they don’t dry out or fry in the sun. As the spring progresses into summer, position them so they don’t receive hot afternoon sun. This will increase their longevity and flowering period.  

Pair English daisies with hyacinths and other spring flowering bulbs.

Lawn daisies are common in temperate climates.

This newly planted garden bed of English daisies will soon be an attractive and colourful ground cover.

It's common for their brilliant coloured petals to fade as they age.