Shasta Daisy Leucanthemum × superbum 'Aglaia' (d)
ABOUT
The Shasta daisy 'Aglaia' is a perennial plant known for its lush and ornamental appeal that brightens up any garden. It features a clumping form with dense foliage composed of deep green, lance-shaped leaves that create a rich backdrop for its prominent flowers. The plant is celebrated for its beautiful blooms that appear during the warm months and typically last through the summer. Each flower is composed of white petals that radiate around a bright yellow central disc. The petals are often numerous and arranged in multiple rows, creating a frilly or shaggy appearance that gives this particular variety a distinct charm. The flowers have a classic daisy look, with a freshness and purity that make them a favorite in bouquets and flower arrangements. The Shasta daisy 'Aglaia' demonstrates a sturdy and upright nature, with stems that are strong enough to support the weight of the blooms, which are notably large and eye-catching. The plant exudes a sense of vitality and robustness, forming a cluster of radiance that draws in both human admirers and pollinators like butterflies. Overall, the Shasta daisy 'Aglaia' is recognized for its joyful and picturesque presence in the garden, providing a touch of classic elegance with its abundant white petals and captivating golden centers that create a contrast against the dark green foliage. Its lush and full aesthetic, combined with the timeless appeal of its daisy-like flowers, make it a beloved choice for gardeners seeking to inject a dose of perennial beauty into their outdoor spaces.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Shasta Daisy, Chrysanthemum Maximum Aglaia, Max Chrysanthemum
Common names
Chrysanthemum maximum 'Aglaia', Chrysanthemum × superbum 'Aglaia', Leucanthemum maximum 'Aglaia'.
ToxicityTo humans
The Shasta daisy, Leucanthemum × superbum 'Aglaia', is not considered toxic to humans. In general, if a plant is not listed as toxic, it typically means there are no well-documented cases of poisoning or harmful effects from ingesting this plant. However, it is still advisable to avoid consuming parts of ornamental plants not intended for human consumption, as individual allergic reactions or gastrointestinal discomfort can occur.
To pets
The Shasta daisy, Leucanthemum × superbum 'Aglaia', is also not known to be toxic to pets. While it is not associated with serious poisoning or life-threatening symptoms, ingestion of non-food plants can sometimes lead to mild gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea, in sensitive pets. It is always best to keep an eye on your pet and prevent them from eating plants that are not part of their diet.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
Spread
2 feet (60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
5-9
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Shasta daisy 'Aglaia' adds beauty to gardens with its cheerful white petals and yellow centers, enhancing the visual appeal of any landscape.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flower attracts beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, which are essential for pollination and maintaining a healthy ecosystem.
- Easy to Grow: Shasta daisy 'Aglaia' is known for being easy to cultivate, requiring minimal care and being adaptable to a range of soil types.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, this plant is relatively drought-tolerant, making it a good choice for water-wise gardens.
- Long Blooming Season: It has a long flowering period, which can last from early summer to fall, providing extended visual interest in the garden.
- Versatility: The Shasta daisy 'Aglaia' can be planted in borders, as ground cover, or in containers, offering diverse landscaping options.
- Cut Flowers: The blooms make excellent cut flowers for indoor arrangements, having a good vase life and adding a touch of nature to home décor.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Photography backdrop: The Shasta daisy's bright white petals can serve as a beautiful, natural backdrop or subject for photographers looking to capture the essence of summer or the beauty of flowers in their work.
- Art inspiration: Artists may use the Shasta daisy as a subject for paintings, drawings, and other forms of visual art, given its distinct and appealing form.
- Garden borders: This plant's uniform growth habit can be employed to create clean borders for garden beds, enhancing the landscape's visual structure.
- Companion planting: Shasta daisies can be planted alongside vegetables to attract beneficial insects and improve pollination, potentially increasing vegetable yields.
- Educational tool: Schools and educational programs might grow Shasta daisies to demonstrate plant life cycles, pollination, and other botanical concepts to students.
- Floristry training: Due to their classic structure, these daisies are often used by floristry students for practice in creating arrangements and learning about flower handling and care.
- Craft projects: The flowers can be used in various craft projects, such as pressing for bookmarks or creating natural dyes for fabrics.
- Events and celebrations: Shasta daisies can be grown and cut for use in bouquets and decor for weddings, garden parties, and other celebrations.
- Soil improvement: They can be used in garden rotations to help break up heavy soils and add organic matter when tilled back into the soil at the end of the season.
- Wildlife garden: Incorporating Shasta daisies into a garden can create a habitat for local wildlife, such as butterflies and bees, which are attracted to the flowers for their pollen and nectar.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Shasta Daisy is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Shasta Daisy is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Innocence - The Leucanthemum × superbum 'Aglaia', commonly known as Shasta Daisy, often symbolizes innocence due to its pure, white petals and bright, cheerful appearance, reminiscent of the innocence and simplicity of childhood.
- Purity - The clean white color of the Shasta Daisy is frequently associated with purity and new beginnings, making it a popular choice in bridal bouquets and in gardens that aim to create a sense of tranquility.
- Cheerfulness - Shasta Daisies are emblematic of cheerfulness because of their sunny disposition. The bright yellow center surrounded by white petals can evoke a feeling of joy and lightness.
- Loyal Love - As daisies are often connected with loyal love, the Shasta Daisy represents steadfast affection and the bond between people that stands the test of time.
- Beauty - Shasta Daisy represents natural beauty, which is modest yet striking, and often used to communicate a message of appreciation for someone's effortless beauty and grace.
WaterShasta daisy 'Aglaia' should be watered deeply and thoroughly, ensuring the soil is moist but not waterlogged. During the active growing season in spring and summer, water approximately once a week, providing about 1 inch of water each time, which translates to about 0.6 gallons per square yard of soil. In hotter, drier periods, the frequency may increase to every few days. During the fall and winter, reduce watering as the plant goes dormant. Always check the top few inches of soil for dryness before watering again to avoid overwatering.
LightShasta daisy 'Aglaia' thrives in full sun conditions, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. The best spot for this plant is an area where it can receive unfiltered sunlight for the majority of the day. Avoid planting in full shade, as it can result in fewer blooms and leggy growth.
TemperatureShasta daisy 'Aglaia' prefers moderate temperatures and can generally withstand conditions between 40°F and 95°F. The ideal temperature range for robust growth and flowering is between 60°F and 75°F. These daisies are quite hardy and can survive slight frost, but they should be protected from extreme cold and heat outside the specified range.
PruningShasta daisy 'Aglaia' should be pruned to remove spent blooms, called deadheading, which encourages further blooming throughout the season. After the first killing frost, cut back foliage to 1-2 inches above the ground. The best time for major pruning is late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Pruning not only maintains the plant's appearance but also promotes health and vigor.
CleaningAs needed
SoilShasta Daisy 'Aglaia' thrives in well-draining, fertile soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH, ideally between 6.0 and 7.0. A mix composed of garden loam, compost, and peat moss can provide the necessary nutrients and drainage.
RepottingShasta Daisies typically need repotting every 2-3 years to prevent overcrowding and to refresh the soil. Best done in early spring or after flowering.
Humidity & MistingShasta Daisy 'Aglaia' prefers moderate humidity levels but is quite adaptable and can tolerate the humidity levels typically found in outdoor garden environments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Shasta Daisy 'Aglaia' in a sunny spot and ensure soil drainage.
Outdoor
Plant Shasta Daisy 'Aglaia' in full sun, spacing 12-24 inches apart.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleThe common name for Leucanthemum × superbum 'Aglaia' is Shasta daisy. The life cycle begins with seed germination, requiring a period of cold stratification to break dormancy, followed by the emergence of the seedling. Once the seedling establishes, it enters the vegetative growth stage, developing a rosette of leaves and a strong root system. As the plant matures, it enters the flowering stage, usually in the late spring to summer, with large white petals surrounding a yellow disc at the center. After pollination, the flowers produce seeds, which can be dispersed to start new plants or can be collected for cultivation. The Shasta daisy, being a perennial, will die back in winter, but its root system remains alive, allowing for regrowth and reflowering in the next growing season.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to early summer
Leucanthemum × superbum 'Aglaia', commonly known as Shasta Daisy, is best propagated through division, which is most successfully done in the early spring or late fall. To propagate by division, carefully dig up the entire plant, ensuring to get as much of the root system as possible. Gently shake off the excess soil and look for natural divisions in the root clump. Using a sharp spade or knife, divide the clump into smaller sections, each with several shoots and a portion of the root system. Replant these divisions at the same depth they were growing initially, spacing them about 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 centimeters) apart to allow for growth. This method is popular due to its simplicity and effectiveness in producing new, healthy plants identical to the parent.
