Daisy is a flowering plant of the Astrov family, one of the most common flowerbed ornamental plants. Translated from Greek daisy - "pearl." Daisies, planting and care for which do not require much work - unpretentious frost-resistant plants reaching a height of 15-20 cm, with fluffy terry flowers. They are very popular among gardeners. The buds of these flowers have various shades, ranging from white and yellow to bright raspberry and red.
Among all varieties of daisies (and there are seven), the most common daisy in Russia is annual and perennial. One-year-olds are often confused with chamomile. It grows in natural conditions - in clearings and meadows - and most often happens in white. Perennial daisy is grown as a two-year plant. In the first year of planting, a rosette of bright green leaves grows, and in the next year the
first flowers appear
. These plants are very fond of lighted, sunny places, but they will not refuse from partial shade.
Daisies: planting and care
Most often, these plants are used to
decorate flower beds and borders. Florists are very fond of daisies. Planting and caring for them is not burdensome, and the plants themselves are pleasing to the eye for quite a long time - the first buds open in mid-spring and hold until the onset of cold weather in late autumn. Often, housewives use these flowers to
decorate balconies, terraces and window sills. The main methods of reproduction are by seeds and division of bushes. Seeds are planted in warm soil in early June. They germinate within 10-12 days after planting. The division of the bushes is best done during the flowering period. Daisies are very fond of moisture, so they need constant watering. In its absence, the flowers become smaller and become unattractive. As plant nutrition, ammonium nitrate is used.
Osteospermum
Another species of this flower that is very popular among gardeners is osteospermum, or Cape daisy. This is an annual herbaceous bushy plant, reaching a height of 30-70 cm. Large flowers of white, orange, yellow, purple, pink, lilac and burgundy in shape resemble chamomile, but, unlike perennial plants, have a tubular shape.
Gardeners should remember that osteospermum - southern daisies, planting and care for them require special attention. Previously, these flowers, due to their slow growth, simply did not have time to bloom in central Russia. However, several varieties have now been bred that delight the eye with their inflorescences in temperate latitudes. They need to be planted only in sunny, lit places. Cape daisy is propagated by cuttings, seeds, and division of the bush. Unlike ordinary daisies, osteosperm seeds are pre-planted for forcing in special boxes in early spring, and only then seedlings are transplanted into warm, moistened soil. However, the varietal characteristics of the plant are preserved better when propagated by cuttings. Cuttings are kept in water from the beginning of winter and are planted in the ground at the same time as the germinated seeds.