From a wreath of radiant white ray florets, the daisy smiles cheekily at us with her yellow eyes. Well-known from the idyllic cottage garden, the historical perennial has lost none of its topicality. Whether as a lavishly flowering solitaire or as a decorative companion in a magnificent perennial bed - the enchanting Leucanthemum adorns all sunny locations with bravura. The following answers to frequently asked questions summarize all the details about successful cultivation.

Marguerites are among the native meadow flowers

Plant marguerite correctly

Planting in spring increases the chances of a healthy overwintering. Between the end of April and the beginning of June, the soil in the sunny location is meticulously weeded and loosened. Please remove roots, stones and other soil impurities that stand in the way of vital rooting. The addition of compost or bark humus stimulates the soil organisms and ensures the supply of nutrients. Soaking the potted root balls in water is beneficial. Then place the now potted young plants so deep that the soil ball is just below the surface. Finally, water on the day of planting and regularly thereafter to stimulate growth.

care tips

After planting, an adequate water supply ensures the start of a healthy perennial life. In the further course, the following care program fulfills the modest demands of your marguerite:

  • Water moderately but regularly without causing waterlogging
  • Fertilize with compost in April and after the first pruning in the bed
  • Fertilize daisies in pots every 2-3 weeks from April until the end of the flowering period
  • Cut back to a few centimeters after the first bloom to make room for the second bloom

In autumn, cut off bed daisies close to the ground and cover the root ball with autumn leaves and needle brushwood. Potted flowers move to a bright, frost-free winter quarters.
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Which location is suitable?

Her longing for every ray of sunshine is so great that the marguerite gracefully turns her flower heads in the direction of our mother star. Make life easy for your favorite perennial and assign it a location in full sun. Towering hybrids also gratefully accept a wind-protected location.
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What soil does the plant need?

Last but not least, their frugal undemanding when it comes to suitable soil conditions has contributed to their status as one of the most popular flowers for the country house garden. The marguerite thrives in any normal garden soil that is fresh and moist to moderately dry in structure. As long as waterlogging is frowned upon at the location, it feels very comfortable in the humus-rich, loose, well-drained soil. The autumn daisy (Leucanthemella serotina) is more tolerant of moist soil than the drought-loving summer daisy (Leucanthemum maximum).

What is the best planting time?

With regard to the ideal planting time, the marguerite is out of the ordinary compared to other perennials. All the beauties of this genus do much better when planted in spring than in autumn. Therefore, place the young plants in the ground between the end of April and the beginning of June so that they are firmly rooted until winter.

When is flowering time?

Thanks to a diverse range of species and varieties, the white-yellow flowering stars accompany us through the garden year. We have compiled the most popular species with their flowering times for you here:

  • Meadow daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare): flowering period from May to June, with a second flowering in September
  • Summer daisy (Leucanthemum maximum): flowering period from July to August
  • October Marguerite (Leucanthemella serotina): Flowering period from September to October

The native ostrich daisy (Tanacetum corymbosum) is botanically assigned to a different daisy family species, but visually it hardly differs from meadow and summer daisies. This robust perennial boasts an extra-long flowering period from June to August.
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Cut marguerite properly

A pruning of the perennial to a few centimeters results in a lavish second bloom. In addition, you make an important contribution to maintaining vitality. Last but not least, you prevent the growth of seed heads, which is regularly at the expense of the abundance of flowers. In autumn, cut the plant back to the ground again, unless self-sowing is planned. Otherwise, cut back in late winter so that the withered parts of the plant can be used as additional winter protection.
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watering marguerite

If there is no rain for a long time, pour the marguerite directly onto the root disk. Short-term drought does not affect growth and abundance of flowers. Nevertheless, the root ball should not dry out. Potted flowers, on the other hand, require regular watering, as the substrate dries out more quickly.

Fertilize marguerite properly

As a bedding perennial, fertilize daisies with compost in April for a dynamic start to the gardening season. In addition, we recommend an additional supply of nutrients after the first pruning, for the benefit of a rich second flowering. Just rake in the organic fertilizer lightly and water again. If the flowers thrive in the bucket or balcony box, the 14-day administration of phosphorus-rich liquid fertilizer has proven itself. From April until the species-specific end of the flowering period, add the preparation to the irrigation water.

hibernate

With a little gardening attention, your daisy will get through the winter safe and sound. Cut the perennial back to the ground in autumn and then spread a layer of foliage over the root disc. So that the leaves don't fly away, lay some fir fronds or brushwood over them. Please take potted plants to a bright, frost-free winter quarters. Well suited are the unheated stairwell, the cool bedroom or the cold house. Keep watering the plants to keep the root ball from drying out. Please gradually get your winter guests used to higher temperatures and the sunlight in spring so that they don't get a culture shock in their floral limbs.

multiply marguerite

If a marguerite with bright star blossoms has won your heart, the desire for more specimens is obvious. You can now save yourself the purchase of young plants, because you can choose from the following uncomplicated propagation methods:

  • Division of the root ball in spring
  • Separating offshoots to allow them to root in the pot
  • Cut cuttings with a length of 8-10 cm, place in lean substrate and keep constantly moist

These three variants of vegetative propagation provide you with young plants with exactly the same attributes as the mother plant. On the other hand, if you collect the seeds in autumn to sow them on the windowsill in March, you may be surprised by the result. Alternatively, you can use certified seeds from specialist retailers.

How do I plant correctly?

Regular transplanting goes hand in hand with rejuvenating your daisy. Every 2-3 years it is time to pick up, divide and replant the perennial. A well-chosen date is spring, when the ground has completely thawed. Dig out the root ball and place it on a stable surface. With a sharp knife or spade, divide the plant into several segments, each with at least two buds. At the new place previously enriched with compost, place the sections in the ground while maintaining the previous planting depth and water.

Marguerite in a pot

In pot culture, the marguerite proves to be a little more care-intensive than its peers in the bed. This is primarily due to the limited substrate volume and the exposed position in sunlight. Use a good quality compost-based potting soil made more permeable with perlite, ($37.51) sand or lava granules ($13.99). A water-bearing layer of potsherds or grit (€46.95) over the floor opening is essential. On warm summer days, please check daily with a thumb test whether the soil has dried out in order to water in time. From April to September fortnightly doses of liquid fertilizer ensure the nutrient supply. Regular trimming or pruning back after the first flowering period will lure a lush second bloom. A pot marguerite preferably spends the winter in bright, frost-free winter quarters.

Is Marguerite Poisonous?

In the cottage gardens of our ancestors, the marguerite was primarily to be found because all parts of the plant are suitable for consumption. So there is no trace of toxic content far and wide. In fact, raw food fans eat the tender leaves in a salad in spring, nibble on the blossoms in summer and enjoy the roots as a swede substitute.
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Yellow leaves

With yellow leaves, your marguerite signals that she is not doing well. As a rule, location problems and neglect in maintenance cause this damage. We have compiled the most common triggers with tips for problem solving for you here:

  • Lack of light: move to a sunny location
  • Drought stress: Never let the root ball dry out; Dip the potted root ball in water once
  • Sudden change of location: After hibernation, gradually get used to summer conditions
  • Waterlogging with root rot: transplant and water less

It is mostly daisies in the planter that suffer from yellow leaves. In pot culture, the nutrient requirement is often underestimated, which is higher here than in the bed. Apply a liquid fertilizer for flowering plants every 2 weeks from April until the end of the flowering period and the plant will recover.
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Beautiful varieties

  • May Queen: Abundantly flowering meadow marguerite for the natural country house garden; Growth height 70-75 cm
  • Group pride: Stable summer marguerite that enriches cottage gardens, tubs and perennial beds; Growth height 60 cm
  • Christine Hagemann: Lush, double premium variety, the ideal cut flower thanks to its upright posture; Growth height 40-80 cm
  • Snehurka: Noble, large-flowered Leucanthemum that inspires with richly filled flowers; Growth height 60-80 cm
  • Silver Princesses: Distinctive dwarf summer marguerite, which sets magical accents as a bed border; Growth height 30-40 cm
  • Herbststern: Majestic, late-blooming noble variety that causes a sensation as a spectator; Growth height 120-140 cm
  • Goldfinch: Extraordinary variety that catches the eye with golden yellow, double flowers from June; Growth height 60-80 cm
  • Strauss-Daisy: Robust wild perennial, richly branched adorns the near-natural woody edge; Growth height 60-80 cm
  • Robinsons Rosa: Splendid hybrid of the ostrich daisy with soft pink flowers from May to July; Growth height 20-40 cm

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Herbs