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Publication #FPS127

Chrysanthemum x superbum Shasta Daisy1

Edward F. Gilman

Introduction

Also known as Chrysanthemum maximum, Shasta Daisy is a robust plant which will produce flowers on 2 ½ to 3-foot tall stems. It can be maintained as a true perennial throughout its range but can only be grown as an annual in the central and southern half of Florida because the summer conditions are not appropriate. Shasta forms a rounded shape with many upright stems emerging from the ground. Plants spread slowly across the garden. The oblanceolate, dark green leaves are coarsely and bluntly toothed and may reach a length of 1 foot. The large, single, daisy-like flowers are clear white with a golden center and grow to about 2 to 3 inches across.

General Information

Scientific name: Chrysanthemum x superbum
Pronunciation: kriss-SANTH-ee-mum x soo-PUR-bum
Common name(s): Shasta Daisy
Family: Compositae
Plant type: perennial; herbaceous
USDA hardiness zones: 5B through 9A (Fig. 1)
Planting month for zone 7: year round
Planting month for zone 8: year round
Planting month for zone 9: year round
Origin: not native to North America
Uses: cut flowers; mass planting; ground cover; attracts butterflies
Availability: somewhat available, may have to go out of theregion to find the plant

Description

Height: 1 to 2 feet
Spread: 1 to 2 feet
Plant habit: upright
Plant density: moderate
Growth rate: moderate
Figure 1. 

Shaded area represents potential planting range.
Texture: medium

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: alternate
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: serrate
Leaf shape: linear
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaf type and persistence: deciduous
Leaf blade length: 8 to 12 inches
Leaf color: green
Fall color: no fall color change
Fall characteristic: not showy

Flower

Flower color: white
Flower characteristic: summer flowering; spring flowering

Fruit

Fruit shape: no fruit
Fruit length: no fruit
Fruit cover: no fruit
Fruit color: not applicable
Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: typically multi-trunked or clumping stems
Current year stem/twig color: not applicable
Current year stem/twig thickness: thick

Culture

Light requirement: plant grows in part shade/part sun
Soil tolerances: acidic; loam; clay;
Drought tolerance: moderate
Soil salt tolerances: poor
Plant spacing: 24 to 36 inches

Other

Roots: not applicable
Winter interest: no special winter interest
Outstanding plant: plant has outstanding ornamental features and could be planted more
Invasive potential: not known to be invasive
Pest resistance: long-term health usually not affected by pests

Use and Management

The Shasta Daisy flowers last 4 to 6 days in a vase of water after cut from the plant. They can be planted in the garden for this reason alone. They are also ideal for edging a walkway or for locating in front of a shrub or perennial border where they are effective as individuals or in groups.

The Shasta Daisy should be grown in the full sun in the northern part of its range on fertile, moist, well-drained soils. They often perform best in Florida in the partial shade. Taller growing varieties can be pinched before flower buds form to keep them from becoming lanky. Provide good air circulation to avoid disease problems.

There are numerous cultivars selected with various maximum heights with double and semi-double flowers.

The Shasta Daisy is propagated by seed or division. This plant reproduces quickly.

Pests and Diseases

The Shasta Daisy is occasionally bothered by leaf spots, stem rots, and leaf miners.

Footnotes

1.

This document is FPS127, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date October, 1999. Reviewed June, 2007. Visit the EDIS Web Site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie Ferrer-Chancy, Interim Dean.