A Florist's Guide to Daisy Varieties
Daisies are among the most versatile and beloved flowers in the floral industry, offering florists a wide range of options for everything from casual bouquets to elegant arrangements. Their simple yet charming appearance, long vase life, and year-round availability make them essential flowers for any florist's toolkit. This guide covers the most popular daisy varieties, their characteristics, and best uses in floral design.
Major Daisy Categories
Chrysanthemum Daisies (Compositae Family)
Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum × superbum)
Appearance: Classic white petals with bright yellow centers, 2-4 inches across
Stem Length: 12-24 inches
Vase Life: 7-10 days
Peak Season: Late spring through early fall
Best Uses: Country-style bouquets, mixed arrangements, wedding work
Care Notes: Cut stems at an angle under running water, remove lower leaves
English Daisy (Bellis perennis)
Appearance: Small, delicate flowers (1-2 inches) with white or pink petals
Stem Length: 4-8 inches
Vase Life: 5-7 days
Peak Season: Spring and fall
Best Uses: Miniature arrangements, boutonnieres, corsages
Care Notes: Very delicate, requires gentle handling
Gerbera Daisies (Gerbera jamesonii)
Standard Gerbera
Appearance: Large blooms (4-5 inches) in vibrant colors including pink, red, orange, yellow, white, and purple
Stem Length: 12-16 inches
Vase Life: 7-12 days
Peak Season: Year-round availability
Best Uses: Focal flowers in arrangements, bridal bouquets, gift bouquets
Care Notes: Sensitive to stem rot, use floral preservative, avoid water on blooms
Mini Gerbera
Appearance: Smaller version (2-3 inches) available in same color range
Stem Length: 8-12 inches
Vase Life: 7-10 days
Peak Season: Year-round
Best Uses: Mixed bouquets, table arrangements, casual designs
Spider Gerbera
Appearance: Unique thin, spiky petals radiating from center
Stem Length: 12-16 inches
Vase Life: 7-10 days
Best Uses: Contemporary arrangements, adding texture
Spray Chrysanthemums
Pompon Mums
Appearance: Small, round, densely petaled blooms (1-2 inches)
Colors: White, yellow, bronze, purple, pink
Stem Length: 16-24 inches
Vase Life: 10-14 days
Best Uses: Filler flowers, autumn arrangements, bulk designs
Daisy Mums
Appearance: Traditional daisy form with prominent centers
Colors: White, yellow, bronze
Stem Length: 16-24 inches
Vase Life: 10-14 days
Best Uses: Mixed arrangements, seasonal designs
African Daisies (Osteospermum)
Standard African Daisy
Appearance: Bright, vibrant petals with dark centers, often with contrasting petal backs
Colors: Purple, pink, orange, white, yellow
Stem Length: 12-18 inches
Vase Life: 6-8 days
Best Uses: Colorful mixed bouquets, contemporary designs
Care Notes: Flowers close in darkness, best used in bright locations
Marguerite Daisies (Argyranthemum frutescens)
Appearance: Small, delicate white or yellow flowers with fine foliage
Stem Length: 10-16 inches
Vase Life: 5-8 days
Peak Season: Spring through fall
Best Uses: Garden-style arrangements, wedding work, delicate designs
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
Appearance: Tiny white daisy-like flowers in clusters with aromatic foliage
Stem Length: 12-20 inches
Vase Life: 7-10 days
Best Uses: Filler flower, herb gardens themes, rustic arrangements
Color Variations by Variety
White Daisies
Shasta Daisies: Pure white with yellow centers
White Gerberas: Crisp white, various center colors
Marguerite: Cream to pure white
English Daisies: White with pink tips possible
Yellow Daisies
Yellow Gerberas: From pale butter to deep golden
Marguerite: Soft yellow petals
Daisy Mums: Bright to pale yellow
Pink and Red Daisies
Pink Gerberas: Light pink to deep magenta
Red Gerberas: True red to burgundy
English Daisies: Pink-tipped petals
African Daisies: Various pink and purple shades
Specialty Colors
Orange Gerberas and African Daisies
Purple African Daisies and Gerberas
Bronze and rust-colored mums
Seasonal Availability and Sourcing
Spring (March-May)
Peak season for English Daisies
Marguerite Daisies become available
Shasta Daisies begin
Gerberas available year-round
Summer (June-August)
Prime Shasta Daisy season
Full availability of most varieties
African Daisies at their best
Marguerites in full season
Fall (September-November)
Chrysanthemum daisies peak
Continued Shasta availability
Gerberas remain consistent
English Daisies return
Winter (December-February)
Limited outdoor varieties
Gerberas primary option
Greenhouse-grown alternatives
Import season for specialty varieties
Conditioning and Care Instructions
Upon Arrival
Unpack immediately and inspect for quality
Cut stems 1-2 inches under running water at a 45-degree angle
Remove lower leaves that would sit below waterline
Place in clean buckets with fresh water and floral preservative
Processing Notes by Type
Gerberas: Handle gently, support heavy heads, use shallow water initially
Shasta Daisies: Hardy, require standard processing
Mums: Remove excess foliage, split woody stems if necessary
African Daisies: Process quickly, sensitive to handling
Storage
Store at 34-38°F (1-3°C)
Maintain 80-90% humidity
Keep away from direct light during storage
Use within 2-3 days of arrival for best quality
Design Applications
Bridal Work
Gerberas: Bold, modern bridal bouquets
Shasta Daisies: Country and garden-style weddings
Marguerites: Delicate, romantic designs
Mini Gerberas: Bridesmaids bouquets, boutonnieres
Everyday Arrangements
Spray Mums: Cost-effective mixed arrangements
Standard Gerberas: Focal point flowers
Shasta Daisies: Casual, cheerful bouquets
Seasonal Designs
Spring: English Daisies with tulips and daffodils
Summer: Mixed daisy varieties with wildflower themes
Fall: Bronze and yellow mums with autumn foliage
Winter: White Gerberas with evergreens
Contemporary vs. Traditional
Contemporary: Spider Gerberas, African Daisies in monochromatic schemes
Traditional: Shasta Daisies, standard Gerberas in classic mixed arrangements
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Short Vase Life
Cause: Bacterial stem blockage, poor water quality
Solution: Recut stems, change water, add preservative
Wilting Petals
Cause: Dehydration, high temperature
Solution: Mist petals lightly, move to cooler location
Drooping Heads (Gerberas)
Cause: Heavy blooms, weak stems
Solution: Use floral wire support, cut stems shorter
Petal Drop
Cause: Ethylene exposure, age
Solution: Use ethylene inhibitor, ensure proper ventilation
Pricing and Value Considerations
Premium Options
Large Gerberas: Higher price point, strong focal impact
Specialty varieties: African Daisies, unique colors
Budget-Friendly Choices
Spray mums: Multiple blooms per stem
Shasta Daisies: Cost-effective, long-lasting
Seasonal Pricing
Expect higher prices during off-seasons
Local varieties typically less expensive during peak season
Holiday periods may see price increases
Marketing Tips
Customer Education
Highlight vase life benefits
Explain care instructions for retail customers
Promote seasonal varieties
Display Suggestions
Group by color families
Show variety in arrangements
Demonstrate different stem lengths
Upselling Opportunities
Suggest complementary flowers
Offer premium varieties
Package with care products
Daisies offer florists incredible versatility, from the bold statement of a large Gerbera to the delicate charm of English Daisies. Understanding the characteristics and proper care of each variety allows you to maximize their potential in your designs while ensuring customer satisfaction through longer-lasting arrangements. Keep this guide handy for quick reference when selecting, processing, and designing with these essential flowers.
