Bellis have become the most famous flowers in Europe thanks to an ingenious survival strategy. The distinctive daisies are represented in every meadow and almost every lawn. The lushly filled premium varieties boast of their floral splendor in perennial beds, flower borders and balcony boxes. The question on the tip of the tongue for home gardeners is how to properly care for Bellis. All important questions receive a well-founded answer here.
How do I care for Bellis (daisies) properly?
When caring for Bellis, they should be watered regularly to prevent drying out. However, fertilizing is not necessary as this can affect winter hardiness. Daisies are hardy in various frost tolerance levels and can be planted in beds after hardening off.
Watering Bellis – is that necessary?
So that Bellis can show off their most beautiful side, they must not dry out. If the sky keeps its rain clouds under cover in summer, please water the plants regularly. Check daisies in pots and boxes every 2 to 3 days using a finger test to water if the substrate is dry. The pronounced limescale tolerance of Bellis suggests that normal tap water is perfect for water supply.
How is the nutrient supply structured?
Fertilizing is not part of the Bellis care program. On the contrary, a supplementary supply of nutrients reduces the degree of winter hardiness. An excess of nitrogen causes the growth of soft shoots and leaves that are no match for winter frost.
Thousands of beauty in pots and balcony boxes find a sufficient supply of nutrients for the entire season in pre-fertilized potting soil (€10.00 on Amazon). If pale colors on leaves and flowers indicate a deficiency, add a liquid fertilizer to the irrigation water every 2 weeks.
Are daisies hardy?
Depending on location and growth, Bellis have different levels of frost tolerance. The following overview explains when winter protection is advisable and under which conditions protective measures are not necessary:
- Direct sowing of the pure species Bellis perennis: no winter protection required
- Growing by sowing on the windowsill: 10-day hardening before planting in the bed
- Acquisition of early noble varieties: 10-day hardening and planting in May
If you cultivate daisies in a pot or balcony box, we recommend light protection from the cold until after the Ice Saints. Cover the containers with fleece or foil to prevent the root balls from freezing.
Tip
If you clean out Bellis regularly, the effort will be rewarded with a never-ending period of flowering. If daisies bloom in the lawn, the lawnmower does the pruning. As a flowering carpet in the bed, cut off the withered flowers with scissors in July/August to attract new blooms.
