Whoops-a-Daisy Shasta Daisy

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

1.25 Feet

Mature Spread

22 Inches

Growing Zones

5 to 9

Whoops-A-Daisy is not an accidental perennial, it is the result of careful selection to create a cultivar of exceptional quality and stamina. Bright white semi-double layers of petals surround large yellow centers like rays of the sun. Looking like a bushel basket full of flowers, this petite perennial with the 3 to 4 inch wide blooms will become the star of your full sun garden this summer. This is a short-lived perennial that can be sustained with some careful housekeeping for years of enjoyment.

While its parent daisy, the European oxeye daisy is native to Europe, it has become naturalized in a large portion of the United States. In the 1800’s renowned horticulturist Luther Burbank hybridized the European oxeye daisy with three other daisy and chrysanthemum flowers to create the Shasta Daisy which he named after Mt. Shasta’s snow covered peaks. Ever since then Shasta Daisy has enjoyed an unparalleled popularity with gardeners all over the world. Whoops-A-Daisy is very attractive to bees and butterflies, and withstands some browsing from deer and rabbits well. It is somewhat drought tolerant when established.

Whoops-a-Daisy Shasta Daisy Care

Plant Shasta Daisies in full sun in cooler Northern regions, and in full sun with some afternoon shade in the Deep South. They must have well drained soil, especially in the winter when soil moistures are greatest due to possible snow cover. If need be, plant in raised bed gardens for best performance. Daisies in general are susceptible to verticillium wilt, so let them dry between watering for healthiest plants. Average to fertile well drained soil is preferred, with a pH range of 5.8 to 6.2, slightly acidic to neutral. Fertilizer is generally not needed, but if your soil is nutrient poor, add some well composted organic material for great results. Water during extended dry periods.

Deadheading Shasta Daisies will prolong the bloom season and allow the plant to focus on flower production and root growth rather than seed production. Cut the spent flower down to the first set of leaves. If you want it to reseed, toward the end of the season leave some spent flowers to go to seed as this plant will reseed generously, creating new plants to take the place of the short-lived perennial and guaranteeing you a continuous presence in your garden. Prune the plant down to about 3 inches from the ground once it has faded, either in late fall or late winter to make room for new growth in the spring. Discard any plant debris to guard against introducing plant diseases.

Whoops-a-Daisy Shasta Daisy Spacing

Space your plants about 22 inches apart. When mature, Whoops-A-Daisy will be about 12 to 15 inches tall and spread out to about 22 inches wide. Good air circulation and great housekeeping habits go a long way to preventing plant diseases. Looking spectacular in a pollinator or an informal cottage garden, when massed out in drifts of color, or when used as cut flowers for indoor bouquets, you will find a wide variety of uses for Whoops-A-Daisy Shasta Daisy in your landscape this spring.