Bellis perennis
common daisy
Low-growing and full of charm, this neat little perennial daisy spreads into tidy rosettes that hug the ground, creating a soft green carpet effect in lawns, borders, or between paving. Its dark green, spoon-shaped leaves stay close to the soil, while short creeping rhizomes help it gently naturalise, making it a reliable choice for filling gaps or softening edges.
From late spring into summer, Bellis perennis produces small but cheerful daisy flowers with bright yellow centres surrounded by delicate white petals, often flushed with soft pink. These blooms subtly track the sun through the day, adding a dynamic touch to its display. Ideal for informal planting schemes, wildlife-friendly lawns, or cottage-style gardens, it thrives in open, sunny spots and copes well with regular mowing, making it both practical and pretty.
From late spring into summer, Bellis perennis produces small but cheerful daisy flowers with bright yellow centres surrounded by delicate white petals, often flushed with soft pink. These blooms subtly track the sun through the day, adding a dynamic touch to its display. Ideal for informal planting schemes, wildlife-friendly lawns, or cottage-style gardens, it thrives in open, sunny spots and copes well with regular mowing, making it both practical and pretty.
How to care for Bellis perennis:
Plant into a naturalistic setting where they can self-seed and form a soft, wildlife-friendly patch rather than mowing regularly. Keep soil lightly moist while establishing, then they’ll cope well with typical rainfall; occasional deadheading will prolong flowering, but leaving some blooms to go to seed encourages natural spread and supports pollinators.
Avoid heavy feeding, as leaner soils keep growth compact and floriferous.
Avoid heavy feeding, as leaner soils keep growth compact and floriferous.
Sowing instructions:
Sow seeds in spring or early autumn onto moist, well-drained compost, pressing them lightly onto the surface as they need light to germinate. Keep in a bright spot and maintain gentle moisture; seedlings usually appear within a couple of weeks.
Once large enough to handle, prick out and grow on before planting into a sunny or lightly shaded spot in the garden, spacing them to allow their low rosettes to spread.
Once large enough to handle, prick out and grow on before planting into a sunny or lightly shaded spot in the garden, spacing them to allow their low rosettes to spread.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
0.1m
Eventual spread:
0.1m
Position:
Full sun / light shade
Rate of growth:
Average
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness:
Fully hardy
approx 750 seeds
£3.99
available to order from summer
Unavailable
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