The Marguerite daisy, known officially as ‘Argyranthemum frutescens’, is a neat, unique little flower belonging to the Asteraceae family. With petals that provide an array of colors – primarily white and pink, though they can range from blue to deep purple – these daisies are highly revered for their beauty and simplicity. They bloom twice a year, once in spring and once in fall, and sometimes continue to bloom through late summer in milder climates.
With its delicate, innocent appearance, ability to grow into early winter, and tendency to attract more birds than most daisies, this flower is a popular choice with gardeners. Keep reading to learn more about the Marguerite daisy and what you need to know to make it part of your garden lineup.
Origin & History
The Marguerite daisy is native to the Canary Islands, though it has been transported and cultivated worldwide. The majority of them are grown in Italy and Southern California, which have similar growing conditions. It’s worth noting that Marguerite daisies do thrive in cooler, drier climates as well.
Today Marguerite daisies grow naturally in parts of the world such as South Africa, Germany, and some parts of southern Asia.
Characteristics
With many different variations of flowers, the Marguerite daisy offers a wide selection of shapes, sizes, and colors. The flowers bloom in groups on thick, dark green shrubs, and are commonly mistaken for their cousin, the Shasta daisy.
The most popular Marguerite daisy has soft white, yellow, and pink petals. These are still grown on their native Canary Islands, where they produce the most vibrant colors and sweet perfumes. All Marguerite daisies have a center of golden yellow.
The plants grow two to three feet tall with a similar spread. Flower groupings can be anywhere between five and thirty daisies.
Can You Grow These Flowers at Home?
Yes, the Marguerite daisy is a flower available to home growers.
Marguerites are an excellent choice for amateur gardeners, since they’re low-maintenance and yield fantastic results. While the plants grow quickly in comparison to other garden flowers, they don’t reach full maturity until around 1 to 2 years after planting.
Why Would You Want to Grow Them?
Not only do Marguerite daisies provide color and visual interest in a garden space, they also attract bees, birds, butterflies, and other beneficial insects that help to keep the rest of your garden healthy and thriving. For this reason, they’re often planted in pollinator gardens.
These are also good flowers to include as part of cut flower gardens. The long stems and pretty blossoms make attractive bouquets and mixed arrangements.
Growing the Marguerite Daisy
These daisies can withstand high temperatures, but look their best in the cooler spring and autumn months. In growing zones with mild winters, Marguerites provide year round blooms to enjoy.
If you live in a zone where winter temperatures drop below 41 degrees and you wish to keep your Marguerite daisies alive through the winter, grow them in a well-ventilated outdoor greenhouse.
Spacing
It’s best to space Marguerite daisy plants twelve to fifteen inches apart to prevent overcrowding.
Sun
Marguerite daisies prefer full, direct sunlight – however you can grow them in partial sunlight.
Soil
They require well-drained, regularly irrigated, moderately fertile soil of moderate fertility, with a pH between 5.5 to 7.
Fertilizers
Marguerite daisies don’t need frequent feedings – once a month with an all-purpose liquid fertilizer is enough.
Water
Water the plants on a daily basis, and be wary not to over-water them, as Marguerite daisies are particularly susceptible to root rot, mildew, and mold.
Pruning / Deadheading
During the blooming season, your daisies well-trimmed and deadhead them to promote further flowering and growth.
Companion Plants for Marguerite Daisies
A Marguerite daisy can add height behind shorter plants or add a mid-height layer in front of shrubs. For example, you can plant Marguerite daisies in front of tall roses to provide coverage for the base of the shrubs, which aren’t always the most attractive to look at.
The following plants are popular companion plantings for the Marguerite daisy, so you may want to grab one (or more) of these for your garden as well.
- Zonal geraniums
- Lantana
- Anemone
- Begonia
- Sweet alyssum
- Lobelia
- Dusty miller
- Eucalyptus
- Marigold
- Moss rose
- Zinnia
- Million bells
- Dichondra
The last two in the list look especially nice with Marguerite daisies in container plantings.
Where can I buy them?
Marguerite daisies are popular garden flowers, which means they’re widely available and easy to find in your local gardening stores or home improvement garden centers. You can buy them in seed form, or as already planted and bloomed flowers, with options of multiple colors. They’re also sold in multi-color clusters if you just can’t make a decision!
Symbolism & Bouquets
Like all daisies, the Marguerite daisy symbolizes peace, innocence, and rebirth. The sweet, delicate blooms that appear in early spring create a sense of whimsy and nostalgia in a garden setting.
A gift of a bouquet of daisies represents a wish for good luck that would be appropriate for a close friend, relative, or significant other.
Where to Buy Marguerite Daisies as Cut Flowers or as Bouquets / Arrangements
At least one online source offers Marguerite daisies as cut flowers that you can use to make your own floral designs. To buy pre-made bouquets or arrangements, you’ll probably need to contact local florists in your area or speak with a representative with the major online floral retailers.
Add Marguerite Daisies to Your Garden Space!
It’s no wonder why these flowers are universally beloved by gardeners. With petals ranging from soft whites and yellows to vibrant pinks, blues, and purples, a Marguerite daisy is sure to make an excellent addition to your garden, and impress every guest who has the chance to see it.
Whether you’re a seasoned horticulturist or an amateur gardener, Marguerites are a timeless classic, and will always be in style. Consider making the trip to pick up these charming little daisies at one of your local shops – or online – today!
Excited for more daisy content? Then visit my daisy page for growing tips, comprehensive care guides, and more!
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
Bree is a wife, mom to a silly pitbull, and a writer for Minneopa Orchards. She lives in Oregon where she works as a freelancer and spends her free time cooking or crafting.
She began gardening when she became a homeowner — whenever she moved into a new home, a garden was one of her first priorities. She enjoyed creating beautiful outdoor spaces in whatever growing zone she lived in and says her southwest gardens were the most challenging!
Bree currently lives in a downtown urban setting, so she’s making good use of indoor gardening methods. Writing for Minneopa Orchards also inspires her to experiment in the kitchen with fresh herbs and seasonal produce. Infused oils, fruit syrups, and dried fruits are some of her recent successes.