A Florist's Guide to Daisy Varieties
Daisies are among the most versatile and beloved flowers in the floral industry, offering cheerful blooms that work beautifully in everything from casual bouquets to elegant arrangements. Understanding the different varieties available will help you select the perfect daisy for each design and ensure optimal vase life for your customers.
Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum × superbum)
The Shasta daisy is a florist staple, featuring classic white petals surrounding a golden yellow center. These hardy perennials typically bloom from late spring through early fall and can reach 2-4 feet in height. Popular cultivars include 'Becky' (known for exceptional vase life of 7-10 days), 'Alaska' (with particularly large 3-4 inch blooms), and 'Crazy Daisy' (featuring whimsical, semi-double frilly petals). Shastas are excellent for mixed arrangements and hold up well in both fresh and dried designs.
Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)
Gerberas are the showstoppers of the daisy world, available in nearly every color except blue and offering blooms that can span 3-5 inches across. These South African natives are among the top-selling cut flowers globally. You'll find them in standard sizes, mini varieties (2-3 inches), and even spider or cremon types with thin, tubular petals. Colors range from vibrant reds, oranges, and hot pinks to soft pastels and pure whites. Gerberas require careful handling as their hollow stems are prone to bending; use floral wire for support in arrangements and recut stems frequently. They prefer shallow water to prevent stem rot and typically last 7-10 days with proper care.
Painted Daisy (Tanacetum coccineum, formerly Chrysanthemum coccineum)
Also called pyrethrum daisies, these offer a beautiful alternative to white daisies with petals in shades of pink, red, magenta, and white. The fern-like foliage adds textural interest to arrangements. Blooms appear in late spring to early summer and feature the classic daisy form with a prominent yellow center. These work wonderfully in cottage-garden style bouquets and have a vase life of about 5-7 days.
English Daisy (Bellis perennis)
These diminutive charmers are perfect for petite arrangements, boutonnieres, and romantic designs. Growing only 3-6 inches tall, English daisies produce small pompom-like blooms in white, pink, or red. While less common in commercial floristry due to their delicate nature and short stems, they're delightful for specialty work such as flower crowns, fairy garden arrangements, and Victorian-inspired posies.
Marguerite Daisy (Argyranthemum frutescens)
Marguerites are bushy plants that produce abundant small to medium-sized daisy flowers in white, yellow, or pink. These are particularly popular for potted plant sales and garden arrangements. As cut flowers, they offer a more delicate, airy appearance than Shastas and work beautifully as filler material. Vase life is typically 5-7 days.
African Daisy (Osteospermum)
African daisies bring unique characteristics to floral design with their spoon-shaped petals and distinctive dark centers often ringed in blue or purple. Available in purple, pink, orange, yellow, and white, many varieties display stunning bi-color patterns. Some cultivars close their petals at night or in low light, which is important to communicate to customers. These work exceptionally well in modern and contemporary designs. Vase life ranges from 7-10 days.
Gloriosa Daisy (Rudbeckia hirta)
Also known as Black-eyed Susan, these golden-yellow daisies with dark brown centers bring warmth and a wildflower aesthetic to arrangements. They're perfect for rustic weddings, fall designs, and country-style bouquets. Some varieties feature mahogany or bronze tones. These sturdy flowers last 7-12 days in the vase and are excellent for customers seeking long-lasting arrangements.
Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)
Similar in appearance to Shasta daisies but generally smaller and more delicate, oxeye daisies have a wildflower charm that works beautifully in meadow-style arrangements and naturalistic designs. They're less commonly available commercially but are worth seeking out from local growers for specialty work.
Transvaal Daisy
This is simply another name for Gerbera daisy, referencing the Transvaal region of South Africa where these flowers originate.
Care and Handling Tips for Florists
Regardless of variety, most daisies benefit from similar post-harvest care. Cut stems at a 45-degree angle using clean, sharp tools. Remove any foliage that would sit below the waterline to prevent bacterial growth. Use floral preservative in clean vases, and keep arrangements away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and ripening fruit (which produces ethylene gas that can shorten flower life).
For Gerberas specifically, the stem support technique is essential: either insert a thin wire through the stem or cut stems short and use them in compact designs. Change water every 2-3 days for optimal longevity.
When selecting daisies from your supplier, look for flowers with firm petals, vibrant centers, and straight stems. Avoid any with browning centers, wilting petals, or bent stems, as these indicate age or poor handling.
Understanding these varieties will allow you to offer customers the perfect daisy for every occasion, from cheerful Gerberas for celebrations to elegant Shastas for sophisticated arrangements.
