It’s April, the month of the daisy!
If you were born in April, your birth month’s two flowers are the daisy and the sweet pea. When we think of a daisy, a humble flower with white, radiating petals and a yellow center might come to mind. We might imagine a cluster of Shasta daisies or the bold and colorful Gerbera daisies. Even the velvety African violet might pique our thoughts. April is one of the best months to explore the wide world of its flower of the month, the daisy.
What Species Is the Daisy?
The species of daisies span worldwide. They may have varying common and taxonomic names, but all belong to the vast family Compositae, or Asteraceae. Within this family are the sunflowers and asters, like the golden aster and New England aster, which are native in Maryland. However, they would not be your common daisy.
One of the most common types of daisies would be Bellis perennis, or English daisy. Other names for it are dog daisy, ox-eye daisy, moon daisy, and Marguerite daisy. This flower is the typical white-petaled, yellow-centered specimen we imagine a daisy to be.
The Daisy in Literature & Culture
The daisy is a common, humble flower that some might even consider a weed. It is a flower of the roadside, the meadow, and the mountain, but it is one of the most iconic of all. We have sayings in our culture such as “fresh as a daisy,” “pushing up daisies,” and “oops-i-daisy.” In literature and history, the daisy could be a symbol of prettiness, the grave, thoughtfulness, and church calendar celebrations. In ancient times, the flower was a medicinal ingredient.
Growing Daisies
It is popular to grow Shasta daisies and English daisies together to form a luscious mass. You don’t want to have a few spindly stalks in your yard. These daisies like full sun and loamy or sandy soil. It is best to plant them in spring after the last frost or in fall. If you plant by seed, you can expect them to flower the second year.
Bring Your Landscaping Vision to Life with Michael Bryan Landscapes
When you work with Michael Bryan Landscapes, you are bringing your landscaping vision to life with a team of experts who are committed to the quality of their work on your home. Whether you want to design a landscape for your outdoor space, build a deck, or install a stone patio, our team of experts is ready to help you make it happen. Since 2009, we have served Maryland and Northern Virginia with a variety of landscaping, hardscaping, design, and installation services that not only keep your outdoor space looking great but working as efficiently as possible to meet the needs of your family throughout the year. If you are ready to get started with your landscaping project or service today, call us at 443-203-1951 or email us at sales@michaelbryanlandscapes.com. Be sure to check us out on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest for updates and weekly landscaping tips!