So, is it just me or do a lot of different flowers resemble daisies? The first question you might ask is what does just a simple daisy look like? To most, it has white petals and a yellow center like the one we used as kids to determine the fate of a first crush (i.e. he loves me, he loves me not). This flower is called the common (English) daisy but there are thousands of different varieties of daisies which, by the way, symbolize new beginnings. Other popular daisies today include the Gerbera, the African Daisy (pink, orange, red and yellow) and the poufy yellow Chrysanthemum Daisy. Beyond ample sunlight and well-drained soil, daisies are easy to grow and very low maintenance. They are usually grown from seed but can be purchased as plants well on their way to full blooms.
There are up to 40 varieties of just the Gerbera Daisy whose petals come in a myriad of colors. The Gloriosa Daisy, otherwise known as a black-eyed Susan, attracts bees and butterflies but not deer. The Marguerite Daisy is native to the Spanish Canary Islands whereas the Blue Marguerite is a South African native that likes mild summer temperatures. The Shasta Daisy is a perennial plant that grows as a bush that can span 2 feet and grow up to 3 feet tall. The Cape Daisy, also grown as a bush, comes with purple, yellow or white flowers and also spans 4 feet growing up to 3 feet high. The Aster Daisy has narrow purple flowers and blooms in the fall along with the yellow Indian Chrysanthemum Daisy; the former attracts bees and butterflies and prefers cool moist areas.
There is the short stemmed Desert Star Daisy, native to Mexico, California, Arizona and Nevada that prospers in dry climates along with the Curly Leaf Daisy that prefers rocky/sandy areas. There is also the Silver Townsendia, the multilayered Florist’s, the Dahlberg used as fragrant groundcover and the Oxeye with a dark center. These are joined by the False Sunflower grown in grasslands and meadows, the edible Crown, the dark centered Livingstone that is sea salt tolerant and the Gaillardia also called blanket flower. Finally, the Coneflower, also known as Echinacea, has drooping pink petals, the Butter, Painted, Chocolate & Swan River which is native to Australia. Anyway, you get the picture, the varieties of daisies is endless; just pick the right one for your environment. In our rural ditches we sometimes see one variety called Mayweed which is probably something to stay clear of given its rank smelling foliage. In the end, I found that many flowers resembling daisies go by different common names but are all actually in the daisy family.
I did find a few outliers discussed next. Coreopsis, also known as Tickseed, is in the Asteraceae family. There are 75-80 varieties in North, Central and South America with either the yellow or yellow and red petal variety most often found in our part of the upper Midwest. They make nice borders but also thrive in well drained containers. They self-seed and are often planted to attract bees and butterflies. Boltonia’s tiny white and pink flowers resemble daisies but it is actually in the sunflower family. It grows 3-8 feet tall, prolifically flowers in late summer and fall and is often chosen as a back border in a perennial bed and for cut flower arrangements.
Helenium, also known as Sneezeweed, is also in the sunflower family. It has bright green leaves and daisy like flowers in orange, yellow, dark red and golden brown. They grow 3-5 feet tall and have lance shaped foliage with stiff upright stems and prefer full sun. Chamomile (German) is an annual daisy look-alike that self-seeds. Its medicinal use is as a calming tea to induce sleep. Pot Marigold or Calendula resembles the daisy and presents with multilayered bright orange petals. It is edible and used medicinally as well. It is a short lived self-seeder that is a perennial in warmer climates. The Ice Plant or Delosperma, is native to Africa and is a succulent with distinctive daisy like purple flowers that appear to shimmer. They are hardy and do well in drier areas of the garden. During your next morning walk enjoy the many daisy varieties grown in area gardens and don’t worry about what family they belong to.