Chrysanthemum frutescens Marguerite or Pairs...

Chrysanthemum frutescens Marguerite or Pairs daisy

Fast, but short-lived perennial

Everyone loves marguerite daisies, which stage a magnificent show in the spring, if they’re planted in the fall, and in the summer, if they’re planted in the spring. Fall-planted marguerites are a sure bet in the Southland; those planted in the spring are a bit less dependable where summers are terribly hot.

These fast-growing, frost-tender shrubs are short-lived perennials, which means they perform well for only a year or two. They are available in small packs, four-inch pots or one-gallon containers. Four-inch pots are best, because gallon-size plants have little chance to develop the enormous root systems necessary to support big bushes. And the tiny pony-pack plants don’t always develop symmetrically.

Although only a few hybrid marguerites have been named, some are marked compact. These have flowers somewhat smaller and are a bit tighter and sturdier than regular varieties.

Marguerites are excellent in beds and containers. They grow so quickly, though, that they rapidly crowd out surrounding plants; despite their cheerful beauty, marguerites have been banned from more than one garden because of their overzealous growth. Allow four feet for each plant.

Don’t plant them near sprinkler heads, and be prepared for considerable sprawl if you irrigate from above. First Love, the anemone-centered pink hybrid pictured here, is especially prone to sprawl because of its heavy blooms, so staking in the early stages is recommended. It is one of the best, however, in containers.

Marguerites need a well-prepared soil and ample water, but skip the fertilizer, which only promotes more foliage. The worst pests likely to appear are aphids, often deposited on the plants by ants. If necessary, spray with an insecticidal soap or an insecticide, following label directions.