A number of different garden and meadow flowers are known as daisies. All have flat petals surrounding a round button center. People grow daisies as colorful borders in gardens and to use as cut flowers in bouquets and other floral arrangements. Some daisies are wildflowers that grow in pastures, woodlands, and on roadsides. Common types of daisies include the oxeye daisy, the English, or true, daisy, and the Shasta daisy.

Where daisies grow

The oxeye daisy is native to Europe and Asia but is now a common wild plant in North America. It spreads quickly through yards and pastures. The English daisy is native to Europe as well and commonly grows as a wild plant in the United States. The Shasta daisy grows in the parts of Europe and North America with mild climates. Developed as a garden plant, it is popular for its large flowers and long blooming season.

Physical features

Daisy plants may have long, straggly stalks or bushy growth. Some become shrublike with woody stems near the ground. Common garden varieties grow to about 2 or 3 feet (61 to 91 centimeters) in height. The leaves are often green and fernlike.

Two types of flowers make up the familiar face of the daisy flower. The petals are called ray flowers, and the center is made up of tiny disc flowers. Together they form what is called a flower head. Daisy flower heads vary in width from about 1 to 4 inches (2.5 to 10 centimeters). The ray flowers may be long or short. The disc flowers form a center that may be flat or rounded. Leaflike structures called bracts frame the base of the flower.

The most common daisies, including the oxeye daisy and the English daisy, have a ring of white ray flowers around a bright yellow center. Other daisies vary in color. The painted daisy has flowers with yellow centers and white, red, or pink petals. The centers of other daisies may be black, brown, or even purple.