Common name: Shasta Daisy
Family: Asteraceae, Aster
Height x width: 1-3' x 1-2'
Growth rate: moderate
Foliage: alternate, coarsely toothed, lower oblanceolate and upper lanceolate
Flowers: heads on top of long stems, 2-3" across, broad white ray flowers with blunt (obtuse) tips, yellow disk flowers, summer
Hardiness: zones 5-9 (some cultivars marginal in 5, occasionally live in 4)
Soil:fertile, moist, well-drained
Light: sun in north, part shade in south
Pests and problems: leaf spots, stem rots, powdery mildew, four-lined plant bug, leaf miner, aphids, mites, others as for chrysanthemum
Landscape habit, uses: borders either massed, small groups or single; cut flowers
Other interest: of hybrid origin; famous breeder Luther Burbank in early part of this century bred original cultivars which were much as we see today, with breeding near the white peaks of Mt. Shasta in California hence the name; originally in genus Chrysanthemum and still listed there by some
Other culture: keep old flowers removed for repeat bloom; provide good air circulation to minimize disease
Propagation: seeds (21,000-35,000 seeds per ounce) is primary method even for cultivars; division of clumps every couple years or of rooted stoloniferous shoots
Species:
x superbum (sue-per' bum)--primary species of commerce and of cultivars
Cultivars: (of x superbum) representing the most common
and available in the U.S.
| Cultivars | height | flower | flower color, other | |
| 'Aglaia' | 2' | double | frilled, 3" across | |
| 'Alaska' | 2-3' | single | 3" across, zone 4 hardy | |
| 'Barbara Bush' | 2-3' | single | crested gold center, creamy margined leaves | |
| 'Becky' | 2-3' | single | one of best for heat, rain, summer; long bloom | |
| 'Cobham Gold' | 15-18" | double | creamy white | |
| 'Diener's Double' | 2' | double | frilled petals | |
| 'Esther Reid' | 18-24" | double | early | |
| 'Exhibition Double' | 3-4' | double | fringed petals | |
| 'Little Miss Muffet' | 8-12" | single | creamy white, orange center, 2-3" wide | |
| 'Little Princess' | 2-3' | single | large | |
| 'Marconi' | 3' | double | 3-5" across, very popular | |
| 'Polaris' | 3' | single | 4-5" across | |
| 'Silver Princess' | 12-15" | single | good for bedding out, from seed, long bloom | |
| 'Snow Lady' | 12-15" | single | from seed, AAS 1991 winner | |
| 'Starburst' | 4' | single | 4" wide | |
| 'Switzerland' | 2-3' | single | hardy, long bloom, heat tolerant | |
| 'T.E. Killin' | 30" | single | crested gold center, good cut, old-fashioned | |
| 'Tinkerbelle' | 30" | single | stiff stems | |
| 'White Knight' | 18-24" | single | many flowers, short-lived, later bloom | |
| 'Wirral Pride' | 2-3' | double | center crest | |
©Authored by Dr. Leonard Perry, Professor, University of Vermont as part of PSS123 course.
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