pace plants about 18 inches apart, making sure to water well with a liquid fertilizer. Since they are heavy feeders, you will need to fertilize again when flower buds form.
Shasta daisies are excellent flowers for cutting, as they will last up to 10 days in an arrangement.
If faded flowers are removed, your Shasta daisies will bloom longer. When dis-budding, wait until the flowers are withered and then carefully look for new flower buds lower down on the stem. Cut off the stem immediately above the new top bud. If there are no new buds, cut the stem off just above the soil level.
Cut your entire Shasta daisy planting down to about 3 inches above the soil level at the end of the growing season.
Division is the best way to propagate Shasta daisies. You will need to divide your clump every two to three years to keep it healthy. Take vigorous pieces from the outside of the planting and discard any central portions of the clump that are dried-out or weak-looking.
Cuttings can be taken to increase your plants. Cut off 5- to 6-inch stems right below a node, removing any flowers and leaves from the lower half of the stem. Dip about ¼-inch of the stem in a rooting medium and insert the cuttings about 2 inches deep into a container filled with damp potting soil. With your finger, gently tamp the soil to remove any air pockets, and lightly mist the cuttings. Cover with a clear plastic bag and place in a shady spot for two to five weeks. After a few weeks, tug gently to see it the cuttings have rooted.
Shasta daisies also can be propagated by seeds, which should be harvested at the end of the blooming season. Since the biggest and healthiest blooms will produce the best seeds, it’s a good idea to tie a piece of colorful wool or string on the best flower while it’s in full bloom to remind you to leave that flower until the end of the season.
Wrapping a piece of netting around the bloom will prevent seeds from spilling on the ground. Snip the seed head and place it in a tray to completely dry out. Store the seeds in an envelope, noting the date of harvest, variety and color, and keep in a dark, cool place until spring. Do not store the seeds in plastic.
Plant seeds indoors in late winter, noting that germination should occur in 10 to 20 days. Fertilize when seedlings are about several inches tall.
Shasta daisies are clumping perennials that will need most of the first year to develop some basal foliage and a good root system. They are some of the showiest perennials in a garden with their cheerful, long-lasting summer flowers that combine well with almost any other garden plant.
Be sure to water young trees during the hot summer months if rainfall is less than 1 inch a week. Watering deeply is important, since young trees are especially vulnerable during periods of drought. The best time to water is early in the morning.
Lee Gugliada is past president of the Great Kills Garden Club and past director of First District Federated Garden Clubs of New York State.