Anthemis tinctoria 'E C Buxton'

Daisies: Simple but Pretty

flower photography

Daisies – the kind you find in your lawn – are the first flowers that I remember being aware of as a child. (Though I was a few years older by the time I tried the fiddly task of making a daisy chain.)

Now, as an adult, I’m aware of the tremendous range of daisies – the different colours, sizes and growth habits that give each their own character.

That character can vary greatly because the daisy family (asteraceae) includes plants you would expect, e.g. asters, coneflowers, dahlias, marigolds – and a lot that are a surprise, for instance cornflowers, and, believe it or not, lettuce!

Echinacea 2486
The large flowers of echinacea give a naturalistic look to the garden.

The bold shape of the bigger daisies, such as echinacea, makes them a great plant to mix with more delicate plant forms for contrast. (I have lots of fennel and verbena bonariensis which create an airy feel, and wispy grasses give a softness too.) Add in other plant shapes – spires (veronica and veronicastrum maybe) and some bold leaves – and you have a border full of textural and architectural interest.

Aster-2466
This tall aster has flowers of a very attention-grabbing colour!

My own garden is in a state of constant change at the moment. (I think that most gardens probably are.) The main border that I’ve created over the last couple of years has filled out so much that the plants no longer have enough space. Some plants are busily setting seed everywhere while others have grown more than I expected. So there will be a lot of shifting plants around!

As I re-organize borders and create new planting areas, I hope to add lots more daisies, especially some of the late-flowering ones like heleniums and dahlias. (My plan is to create a garden that allows me the opportunity to take photographs over as long a period as possible.)

There will certainly be plenty of choice for me because the daisy family is vast, so there will be a colour, size and shape to suit any planting plan I come up with.

Doronicum-flm-645
Doronicum (leopard’s bane) flowers are a cheerful sight in spring and early summer.

20 thoughts on “Daisies: Simple but Pretty”

  2. They’re all such fabulous flowers Ann. Anthemis gives so much yet requires little attention. Doronicum was something we bought for our last garden – we both adored it!

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    1. Yes, the anthemis does well here. I did try it in our garden in Scotland years ago but it wasn’t at all happy in the clay soil there. I’m glad it’s happy in this garden!

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  5. Beautiful images. I had no idea how many flowers are actually in the daisy family – lettuce, really! Who knew? My favorite is the gerbera daisy. Once again, the deer like them too. I wonder if they also like lettuce?

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    2. I like your words Anne; I’ve put my feet up to look at the colours in your garden as mine have all gone to seed, and I need some ideas for daisies to add to mine flower beds next year for more colour. Thank you.

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      1. Thank you Hermione! I bought some more daisies for a new bit of border – now I need to go and plant them. 🙂

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  8. Thank you for taking the time to share these pictures on WordPress

    These pictures are cool truth, experience and perspective. Beautifully taken and am amazed by it.

    You are welcome

    #PATRICKSTORIES
    Peace ✌and Love ❤

    Liked by 2 people

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