Which white daisy is it?
Several plants answer to the name white daisy. The ox-eye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare) has a flower head of about 20 to 75 millimetres. Shasta daisies are larger, marguerites have ferny foliage, and the tiny English daisy (Bellis perennis) grows low in lawns. Cut-flower growers also supply white chrysanthemum types that look similar.
What makes ox-eye distinct
Ox-eye daisy has simple, white petals that are the same width all the way along, and a flat yellow disc. Stems grow tall and rather lanky.
Children pull the petals for "he loves me, he loves me not". In the language of flowers, the daisy generally stands for innocence and simplicity. A bunch of white daisies is cheerful in a jug.
Be sensible with seed
Ox-eye is listed as a weed in parts of Australia. If you plant daisies, choose sterile or garden hybrids such as Shasta daisy, or check with your council before sowing the wild type. Never dump flowering stems in bushland.
Toxic daisies and animals
The ASPCA lists daisies related to chrysanthemum as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, so keep vases out of reach.
In a vase, white daisies last roughly a week to ten days. Remove leaves below the water line, change the water often and keep the vase out of direct sun.
Season
In Australia, white daisies flower mainly in spring and summer.
