Delete
L. x. superbum and a 'frilly' cultivar (inset).
Luminous Shasta daisies
GARDENING

Luminous Shasta daisies

Daisies are always popular and the Shasta daisy is probably the best of them all, with sturdy stems and large flowers

Denise Bush

Friday, 22 June 2018, 13:10

Compartir

Commonly called the Shasta daisy, Leucanthemum x superbum was hybridised by Californian Luther Burbank in his quest to find the whitest flower possible - one that would reflect the moon's glow in the evening and look luminous. He crossed a Japanese daisy with an American one and the result was named after the snow-capped Shasta Mountain.

Taking cuttings

  • gardening hints

  • Summer is the ideal time to take semi-ripe cuttings.

  • This type of cutting is usually hard at the base but still soft and flexible at the tip. Plants suitable for propagating this way are lavender, buddleia, box, coleus, pelargoniums, star jasmine (Trachelospermum), Philadelphus, Solanum, Forsythia and Salvia.

  • Cuttings 5-10cm long should be taken early in the morning and placed immediately into a plastic bag to preserve moisture. Remove the lower leaves and dip the base of it in hormone rooting powder or liquid if you have it.

  • Several cuttings can go in each pot; the soil should be a gritty mix of compost and sand or vermiculite.

  • Cover with a plastic bag and place somewhere light but not in full sun. With some luck the cuttings should start to show signs they have taken in about three weeks.

L. x superbum Becky is one of the best cultivars; it flowers a little later than others and has the largest flowers. However there are many others: some are doubles such as the German Christine Hagemnann, others have twisted and frilly petals such as Belgian Lace and there are even yellow forms such as L. x superbum Gold Finch.

Shasta daisies need moist, rich soil but are drought resistant for short periods once fully established. Situations with partial shade or one that receives some shade during the afternoon are preferable to ones in full sun.

Calling all gardeners

  • photos

  • We know that many of our readers have lovely gardens, or enjoy growing plants on their terraces or balconies, so why not share them with others?

  • Email your photos to english@diariosur.es or send them to SUR in English, Avda Dr Marañón 48, 29009 Malaga, with a caption and a few words of explanation. Alternatively, you can send them to us via Facebook (surenglish) or Twitter (@SUR_English).

The daisies will form a clump about 60cm high and although the flower stems are sturdy, they may need staking in exposed areas. The clump can be divided in alternate years to produce more plants or the seeds can be collected and sown in early spring.

Dead-heading before seed is produced will prolong the flowering period which starts in late spring and continues through until autumn. As the flower forms on a single stem, the stem should be cut off at the base once the bloom goes over.

In cold inland areas, frost may kill the top growth which can then be cut back. Mulching will help to protect the root ball but Shasta daisies are very hardy and should survive a hard frost.

Shasta daisies have a pungent smell that some people find off- putting but they are ideal for borders and bedding or in containers, attracting lots of pollinating insects to the garden.

Reporta un error en esta noticia

* Campos obligatorios