Stephen Albert
English daisy — Bellis perennis—is an easy-to-grow, short-lived perennial commonly grown as a biennial or annual. It bears colorful small daisylike flowers atop rosettes of bright green leaves.
English daisies are members of the Asteraceae family. Plants grow in tufts or with branching stems. The solitary daisy-like heads have yellow disks and white, pink, or red rays. Flower heads are about 2 inches (5cm) across.
English daisies need fertile, moist soil and plenty of sun. They are easily grown from seed in the fall; wintered over in a cold frame, and will flower early the next season. However, they will bloom the first season if the seed is sown very early in the spring.
English daisies can be used for edging and in low beds and borders and for colonizing in lawns. They also grow well in window boxes and other containers.
Bellis perennis (English Daisy) Overview
Bellis perennis, commonly known as English Daisy, is a charming, low-growing perennial (often grown as a biennial) in the Asteraceae family. It is native to Europe and naturalized in many parts of the world. English Daisy is recognized for its small, button-like flowers with bright yellow centers surrounded by delicate white, pink, or red ray petals. The flowers bloom on short stalks above a rosette of green, spoon-shaped leaves.
English Daisies thrive in cool climates and are prized for their ability to bloom profusely in spring and early summer. While they are a common sight in lawns, cultivated varieties offer larger blooms and more vibrant colors, making them ideal for ornamental use.
Seven Ways to Use Bellis perennis in the Garden
- Edging and Borders
- Use English Daisies as edging plants along pathways, flower beds, or borders for a tidy and colorful display.
- Their compact growth habit creates a neat, low-maintenance edge.
- Ground Cover
- Plant them en masse as a ground cover for a lush, flowering carpet effect in sunny or partially shaded areas.
- Cottage Gardens
- English Daisies are a quintessential plant for cottage-style gardens. Combine them with violas, pansies, forget-me-nots, and sweet alyssum for a nostalgic and romantic look.
- Containers and Window Boxes
- Bellis perennis is excellent for pots, containers, or window boxes, either as the main feature or mixed with other spring flowers.
- Their compact size makes them suitable for small spaces like patios or balconies.
- Seasonal Bedding Displays
- Use English Daisies in seasonal bedding schemes with spring bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths to create layered, colorful displays.
- Lawn Alternatives
- In informal or wildlife-friendly gardens, allow English Daisies to naturalize in lawns for a meadow-like effect. They pair beautifully with clover or other low-growing wildflowers.
- Wildlife Gardens
- English Daisies attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, making them a valuable addition to wildlife-friendly spaces.
Design Ideas with Bellis perennis
- Spring Flowering Combinations
- Pair English Daisies with other spring bloomers such as primroses, violas, and grape hyacinths for a vibrant and coordinated look.
- Whimsical Fairy Gardens
- Their small, delicate flowers make them ideal for creating a whimsical, fairy-tale aesthetic in miniature or themed gardens.
- Meadow or Naturalized Gardens
- Plant English Daisies among grasses, wildflowers, or low-maintenance perennials for a naturalistic design.
- Color Blocking
- Create bold color blocks by planting masses of a single variety of Bellis in geometric patterns or sweeping curves.
- Underplanting Trees and Shrubs
- Use English Daisies as an underplanting for small trees or flowering shrubs, where their low profile and cheerful blooms will brighten shaded areas.
- Accent Plant for Paths
- Their petite flowers are perfect for softening the edges of stone walkways or brick paths, adding a gentle, natural look.
Quick Care Tips for Bellis perennis
- Light: Prefers full sun to partial shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade can prevent stress.
- Soil: Thrives in well-drained, moderately fertile soil but is adaptable to poorer soils.
- Watering: Requires regular watering during dry periods, especially when actively growing.
- Fertilizing: A light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring promotes healthy growth and blooms.
- Deadheading: Regularly remove spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming and maintain a tidy appearance.
- Propagation: Propagate through seeds, division, or offsets. Allow some flowers to go to seed if you want them to naturalize.
- Pests and Diseases: Generally pest-free, but watch for aphids or powdery mildew in humid conditions.
Seasonal Notes
- Bellis perennis is a cool-season plant, thriving in spring and early summer. In warmer climates, it may fade in midsummer heat but can reseed for the following season.
- In milder climates, it can bloom sporadically in fall and even through winter.
Get to know Bellis – English daisy
- Plant type: Perennial is often grown as a biennial or annual
- Growing Zones and range: Zones 4 to 7; good winter annual in Zones 8 to 10
- Hardiness: Grows best in cool summer regions, northern, coastal, high-altitude regions; they do not grow well in hot, dry regions
- Height and width: 3 to 8 inches (7.6-20cm) tall, 5 to 9 inches (12-22cm) wide
- Form: Rosettes of oval, green leaves; short, thick stems topped with 1 to 2-inch (2.5-5cm) flowers
- Flowers: Bright daisies are red, pink, and white with yellow centers. Some varieties bear single flowers, while others look more like tiny pompons.
- Bloom time: Early to late spring and through winter in southern regions
- Uses: edging plant and often planted with bulbs
- Garden companions: forget-me-nots, spring-flowering bulbs
- Common name: English daisy
- Botanical name: Bellis perennis
- Family: Asteraceae (Compositae)
Where to plant Bellis – English Daisy
- Plant English daisies in full sun in cool, moist climates. Plant in shade in drier, warmer regions
- Plant English daisies in humus-rich, well-drained soil.
- English daisies prefer a soil pH of 6 to 7.
When to plant Bellis – English daisy
- Set out seedlings in spring or fall in Zones 4-7. In warm regions, Zones 8-10, plant in fall as an annual for spring bloom. English daisies will not do well during the summer in hot regions.
- Sow seed indoors 4 to 8 weeks before the last frost in spring; in mild-winter regions sow seeds in the fall and treat them like biennials.
- Sow seeds in cold frames 2 to 6 weeks before the last frost in spring or sow them in the garden just after the last frost in spring.
Planting and spacing Bellis – English daisy
- Sow seeds 1/8 inch deep, 1 inch (2.5m) apart in flats or six packs.
- Seeds will germinate in 10 to 15 days at about 70°F (21°C).
- English daisies grow quickly; harden off seedlings before planting them outdoors.
- Set established plants in the garden after the last frost in spring. Established plants can be planted at any time during spring and autumn.
- Space English daisy 6 to 8 inches (15-20cm) apart.
How to water and feed Bellis – English daisy
- English daisies need moderate water; keep the soil evenly moist.
- Fertilize English daisies at planting time and lightly throughout the growing season; use an all-purpose fertilizer.
- Feed biennials with a top-dressing of aged compost in autumn.
Bellis – English daisy care
- Remove spent flowers to encourage more blooms.
- Apply a winter mulch in Zone 6 and colder; use sifted aged compost or chopped leaves.
- English daisy is prone to powdery mildew; spray plants with a fungicide if you notice the start of powdery mildew.
- Pull out spent plants and start new ones.
Bellis – English daisy propagation
- Propagate English daisies can be propagated by seed or division.
- Sow seed indoors in midwinter to set plants out in mid-spring. Cover seed lightly.
- Divide crowded clumps in early spring when new growth begins. Replant divisions immediately.
Bellis – English daisy varieties to grow
- Bellis perennis. Wild types have tiny, single flowers–golden discs surrounded by pink or white petals. Cultivars have showy flowers: ‘Button’ series has double red or pink flowers; ‘Kito’ has large semi-quilled cherry red flowers; ‘Monstrosa’ has large flowers nearly 4-inches wide in red, pink, and white; ‘Super Enorma’ series has double 3-inch flowers; ‘Tasso’ series had double red, pink, or white blooms and quilled (pompon) petals.
- Bellis rotundifolia is similar to Bellis perennis but with rounder leaves. B. r. caerulescens is a pretty lavender-blue type from North Africa.
