01-07-2003, 06:44 PM
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How to Keep Shasta Daisy Short?
From: (Jay Chan)
Date: Tue, Jul 1, 2003 12:28 PM
Message-id:
You can, within reason, treat Shastas like mums by cutting them back a
couple
of times early in the season. (Cut back the bloom stalks to the second
set of
leaves below....and you can probably do that now to good effect). It will
help
to keep them shorter and bushier, as well as delaying bloom. You may very
well
be able to keep your plants within bounds for this year.
This is great news to me! When I return home, I will cut back three of
the shasta daisy for testing: I will cut back the first one hard, the
second one moderately, the third one even more moderately than the
second one to see which one survives the cut.
However, each variety has its own nature and you won't be able to
control them as much as you might like. (Not to mention that they
spread from the roots and need division often.....) You'll want to
look into acquiring one of the very nice compact varieties for next
year.
I will tend not to get rid of a plant if I can get it under control
with moderate effort -- after all, I have spend one year to grow them.
However, if they become too out of control, I will have to follow your
advice and replace them with a compact version.
BTW, do you have any suggestion as of a very nice compact variety?
Thanks.
Jay Chan
Although I haven't grown it myself, you could try 'Snow Lady,' which is a
popular classic. It grows to perhaps a foot tall, as does 'Silver Princess.'
'Snowcap' is perhaps slightly taller. These would all be easy to manage and
look good in a small garden bed. There are probably quite a few more. Try a
search online for some good pix and ideas.
Best,
Tyra
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