9 top daisies
Helianthus annuus
The ultimate daisy, annual sunflowers come in a range of colours, from sunny yellow to dark red (like ‘Prado Red’, above). They vary in size from giant to average, with both multi-headed and single flower varieties. H&S: Varies.
Zinnia elegans ‘Benary’s Giant Lime’
Zinnias need heat to thrive, so they won’t suit all UK gardens. Easy to grow, they are prized for their long-lasting, colourful flowers. Zingy green ‘Giant Lime’ is lovely in a vase and has good mildew resistance. HxS: 2x1ft (60x30cm).
Rudbeckia hirta ‘Cherry Brandy’
An unusual red black-eyed Susan
– the dark blooms keep coming all summer long. Tolerating even poor soil conditions, it works well in borders or containers, and makes a good cut flower. HxS: 2ftx16in (60x40cm).
Argyranthemum ‘Petite Pink’ AGm
A classic marguerite daisy, this dwarf, shrubby variety makes a dome of grey-green foliage. From spring through to autumn it will be smothered with the prettiest pale-pink flowers. H&S: 1ft (30cm).
Coreopsis verticillata ‘Zagreb’ AGm
Compact and hardy. Good for filling any gaps in the border with its cheerful splash of airy, small flowers in the sunniest shade of yellow. Can either be grown as a perennial or used as an annual. H&S: 1ft (30cm).
Leucanthemum x superbum ‘t. e Killin’ AGm
Double-flowered Shasta (oxeye) daisy with a ruff of long white petals framing a central ring of short petals, arranged around a lemon centre. Ideal for a mixed border. HxS: 21⁄2x1ft (75x30cm).
Helenium ‘moerheim Beauty’ AGm
Large, dark-centred, coppery-red flower heads make this perennial a popular choice for a late summer hot border. Each bold bloom features a pronounced centre and slightly recurved petals. HxS: 39x20in (100x50cm).
Aster x frikartii ‘mönch’ AGm
Reliable, vigorous and disease-resistant. With light purple petals framing a butter yellow centre, this popular Michaelmas daisy looks wonderful in an autumn border. Easy to propagate from rooted sideshoots. HxS: 21⁄2x1ft (75x30cm).
Erigeron karvinskianus AGm
Mexican fleabane is a delightfully frothy, small, spreading daisy with white flowers flushed with pink. One for the front of borders, for tumbling over the rim of a container or filling in at the edges of paths or steps. HxS: 21⁄2x1ft (75x30cm).