Daisies are a total staple for balcony gardeners, but here’s a little pro tip: not every “daisy” you see at the garden center is the same hardy wildflower you grew up with. Some varieties are actually quite delicate and need to wait until after the last frost to move outside. The upside? Those sun-loving varieties will reward you with gorgeous blooms all the way into autumn.
Daisies
In the gardening world, the name “daisy” gets tossed around for several different species that aren’t actually closely related. When you’re shopping for your containers, you’ll likely run into these four:
- Bellis perennis
- Brachyscome iberidifolia
- Brachyscome multifida
- Erigeron karvinskianus
Bellis perennis (English Daisy)
Bellis perennis is the botanical name for the classic daisy you’ll find in meadows. Nowadays, we have all sorts of fancy cultivated varieties. These usually feature “double” blooms (extra petals!) and come in pretty shades of white, pink, and red. You can plant these directly in your garden or keep them in pots on your balcony.
On the Balcony
In a container, these daisies love a spot that gets full sun to partial shade. The blooming season for these cultivars runs from February through June, making them the perfect choice for your early spring arrangements. They look absolutely charming when paired with other spring favorites like:
- Primroses
- Violets
- Forget-me-nots
Brachyscome iberidifolia and multifida (Swan River Daisy)
Brachyscome iberidifolia is often called the Australian or Blue Daisy because it looks so much like the traditional version. Its cousin, Brachyscome multifida (sometimes called the Cut-leaf Daisy), is also a popular pick. These flowers look a bit more like tiny marguerites and come in stunning shades of lavender, pink, deep purple, and crisp white. They have a lovely bushy, slightly trailing growth habit.
On the Balcony
These look fantastic in pots or spilling over the edges of balcony planter boxes. While they prefer a sunny spot, they’ll do just fine in partial shade too. They bloom from April all the way to September. Just a heads-up: these guys are frost-sensitive! Wait until mid-May to move them outside once the threat of a late spring freeze has totally passed.
Erigeron karvinskianus (Mexican Fleabane)
You’ll often find these labeled as “Spanish Daisies” or “Santa Barbara Daisies” at the nursery. The flowers start out white but take on a beautiful pinkish hue as they age.
On the Balcony
Because of its delicate, trailing growth, the Spanish Daisy is a rockstar in balcony boxes. However, just like the Australian varieties, it’s a fan of warmer weather. Keep it indoors until mid-May to make sure it doesn’t get nipped by a late frost.
