Painted daisy

Painted daisy: how do you recognise it?

Habit

Upright clump 50–70 cm tall and about 45 cm wide, with unbranched flower stems.

Foliage

Finely divided, almost fern-like, green, in a loose rosette at the base.

Flower

Daisies 5–7 cm across with a yellow centre, single or double, from May to July.

Colour

Pink, red or white; seed is often sold as a colour mix.

Roots

Fibrous root system that grows into a clump; the plant is often short-lived and benefits from regular division.

Flowering: May–July · Sowing: March · Plants: March–May and September · Pruning: March and July

Why grow it?

• Flowers from May to July with large daisies in pink, red or white, just as the summer border gets going.
• The fine, feathery foliage is attractive even without flowers.
• Cutting back after the first flowering often gives a second flush in late summer.
• An excellent cut flower for a cheerful bouquet.
• Bees and butterflies visit the flowers.

Painted daisy: where does it grow best?

• Full sun: it flowers best and the stems stay firm.
• Well-drained soil: sand or loam, acid to chalky. A moderately fertile soil is ideal.
• Dry to reasonably moist; it does not tolerate wet soil in winter.
• Sheltered from strong wind, because the flower stems are thin.
• Allow 40–45 cm between plants.

Light

Sun

Soil type

Sand or loam

Acidity

Not fussy

Moisture

Dry or normal

Size

0.6 m tall, 0.45 m wide

Hardiness

Hardy (to -30 °C)

Goes well with

• Cranesbill: Flowers at the same time and fills the space between clumps.
• Woodland sage: Purple spikes above the pink and red daisies.
• Lavender: Suits the same dry, sunny spot and adds scent.
• Lady’s mantle: A soft yellow-green edge that calms the bright colours.

Painted daisy: when and how to plant it?

Plant in March–May and September.

1. Plant in March–May or in September, when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged. Spring is the safest.
2. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball; on heavy soil, mix in sand or fine grit and a little compost.
3. Set the plant at the same depth as in its pot, with the top of the root ball level with the soil. No deeper: the crown rots easily.
4. Leave 40–45 cm between plants.
5. Water thoroughly straight away and keep the soil lightly moist in the first season.
6. Spread a thin layer of compost around the plant, keeping the crown clear.

Care

Water

In the first year water weekly in dry weather. After that only in long dry spells, at the base.

Feeding

A handful of compost or organic fertiliser in March. Do not overfeed: the stems turn floppy.

Support

A few twigs or a plant support stop the flower stems flopping after rain.

Spent flowers

Cut off faded flowers. After the first flowering, cutting the whole clump back gives fresh foliage and often a second flush.

Dividing

Dividing the clump every 2–3 years, in spring or after flowering, keeps it vigorous; it is often short-lived.

Tip: After the first flowering, cut all the flower stems back to the leaf rosette: you get fresh foliage and often a second flush. Give it dry feet in winter.

Painted daisy: when to prune it?

Pruning months: March and July.

When: In July, straight after the first flowering, and in March to remove dead leaves.

How:

• After the first flowering, cut the flower stems back to the leaf rosette.
• Then water generously and add a little compost: the plant soon shoots again.
• In March, cut dead or damaged leaves back to just above the base.
• During flowering, cut faded flowers off with a piece of stem.

Caution: Wear gloves: the sap can irritate the skin of sensitive people.

Pruning: when and how · Pruning calendar and basic rules

Propagation

Division

In March–April: cut the clump with a spade into pieces with roots and shoots and replant at once. It can also be done straight after flowering in July.

Seed

Sow indoors in March: sow on the surface and barely cover the seed, at 15–20 °C in a bright spot. Plant out after the last frosts in mid-May. Seedling colours vary.

Painted daisy: how does it get through the winter?

Hardy to −30 °C.

• Fully hardy, down to about −30 °C: frost is rarely the problem, wet soil in winter is.
• Make sure drainage is good; on heavy clay, plant on a slight mound or mix sand into the planting hole.
• Leave the foliage in place over winter and do not cover the crown with wet leaves or a thick layer of mulch.
• In a pot: put it under the eaves to avoid too much rain, and wrap the pot in hessian in severe frost.

Diseases and pests

• Flopping stems: After rain or on over-rich soil. Support with twigs, feed less and choose a sheltered spot.
• Aphids: On young shoots and buds in spring. Spray off with water; ladybirds help.
• Powdery mildew: White powder on the leaves, mostly in dry weather and when plants are too close together. Give space, water at the base and cut off affected leaves.
• Root rot: After a wet winter the plant does not reappear. Plant in free-draining soil on a slight mound.

Through the year

• March: Cut off dead leaves. Add compost. Sow indoors. Plant or divide.
• April: Plant or divide. Watch for aphids.
• May: Flowering begins. Put in supports. Plant out seedlings after the last frosts.
• June: Full flower. Cut flowers for a bouquet.
• July: After the first flowering, cut back to the rosette. Water and add compost.
• August: Second, smaller flowering. Water in dry weather.
• September: Plant or divide. Clear away spent growth.
• October: Leave the foliage. Check drainage.
• November: Dormant. Keep the crown dry.

Edible and useful

Not edible. Pyrethrum is poisonous if eaten, especially to cats, but also to dogs and horses: the leaves and flowers contain pyrethrins, natural insecticides to which cats are particularly sensitive (drooling, trembling, vomiting). Fish are very sensitive to them too: do not throw flowers or plant remains into the pond. It is not the feverfew or costmary of the herb garden: do not use it in tea or as a remedy. Keep children and pets away from the plant, and wear gloves, as the sap can cause a rash in sensitive people. If any is swallowed, call a poison centre (in Belgium 070 245 245) or your doctor at once.

Good for wildlife

Bees

Nectar and pollen for honeybees and wild bees.

Butterflies

Nectar for butterflies.

Did you know?

• In the 19th century, dried flowers of this species were made into ‘Persian insect powder’, a natural insecticide.
• The plant used to be placed in the genus Chrysanthemum, hence the old name Chrysanthemum coccineum.
• The species name coccineum means ‘scarlet’.