At first glance, it seems like a total no-brainer that daisies can survive a cold winter. After all, they pop up in our lawns every spring like clockwork without us ever lifting a finger to protect them. But here’s the kicker: that legendary toughness actually only applies to one specific species of Bellis.
Not exactly a local native
Because they’re everywhere, we tend to think of daisies as plants that have been here forever. In reality, the Bellis genus actually hails from the Mediterranean. There are twelve different species down there, but only one—*Bellis perennis*—managed to make the trek north across the Alps. It didn’t even become a common sight in Central Europe until the 16th century, when manicured lawns and parks started becoming the “it” thing in landscaping.
A hardy biennial life cycle
While *Bellis perennis* is the only species in the family that can handle frost, it does so like an absolute champ. This little flower can withstand temperatures as low as -30°F, meaning even a brutal polar vortex won’t take it out. Its secret weapon is its life cycle, which is perfectly tuned to colder climates:
- During the first year after seeding, the plant stays low to the ground, forming a flat rosette of leaves.
- The following spring, leafless flower stalks shoot up from that rosette to bloom.
- Once the heavy frost hits again at the end of that second season, the individual plant dies off.
Don’t worry about the plant dying, though! Before it goes, the daisy scatters a ton of seeds, ensuring a fresh carpet of new flowers will naturally take its place next year.
Hybrids need a little extra TLC
When you’re browsing the garden center, you’ll see *Bellis perennis* in plenty of colors beyond just classic white. Just keep in mind that these fancy cultivated hybrids aren’t always as rugged as their wild cousins. Most of them are only “semi-hardy,” so they’ll need a little help to get through the winter. Before the ground freezes, give them a cozy mulch layer of fallen leaves or brush. If you want to be extra safe, a bit of garden fleece works wonders too!
