Daisies Flowers: Types of Daisy Varieties, Colours & Small Daisies

Daisies are among the most recognisable flowers in gardens, meadows, and floral arrangements. With their cheerful faces, simple petal shapes, and bright centres, daisies flowers have become a symbol of freshness and natural beauty across the UK and USA. Whether you call them daisys, dasies, daiseys, or even dasiys (common spelling variations online), the meaning is usually the same: people want to learn more about these classic blooms, their colours, and the different types of daisy flowers available today.

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While the word “daisy” often brings to mind the traditional white daisy with a yellow centre, daisies actually come in many forms. Some are small and delicate, others are bold and long-lasting. Certain daisy varieties thrive in cool climates like the UK, while others are better suited for warmer parts of the USA. Some grow wild in fields, and others are carefully bred for gardens, borders, and bouquets.

In this article, you’ll explore what makes daisies special, the most popular daisy varieties, how to tell them apart, and why daisies remain a favourite for flower lovers in both countries.

What Are Daisies Flowers?

The term daisy is commonly used for a large group of plants that share a similar “flower-head” structure: a central disk surrounded by petal-like rays. Many daisy-type flowers belong to the Asteraceae family (also called the aster, sunflower, or composite family). This family includes many garden favourites such as:

asters
sunflowers
chrysanthemums
marigolds
zinnias
coneflowers

A daisy flower isn’t always a single flower in the way people imagine. In many cases, it’s a “composite” flower made up of many tiny florets clustered together:

Disk florets in the centre (often yellow or golden)
Ray florets forming the outer “petals” (usually white, but also yellow, pink, red, purple, and more)

This is why daisies can look simple but are biologically quite fascinating.

Why Daisies Are So Popular in the UK and USA

Daisies are loved for many practical and aesthetic reasons:

1) They look bright and friendly

The classic daisy shape is instantly uplifting. Even a small bunch of daisies can brighten a room or garden bed.

2) Many types are easy to grow

While daisies are not identical in care needs, many popular daisy varieties are hardy and adaptable in typical garden conditions.

3) They attract pollinators

Daisies often support bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects, especially when grown in mixed borders or wildflower-style planting.

4) They work in many settings

Daisies suit:

cottage gardens
modern garden beds
front borders
wildlife gardens
pots and patio planters
floral arrangements and wedding bouquets

White Daisy: The Classic Look People Recognise

When people search white daisy, they are usually thinking about the traditional daisy form: clean white petals with a yellow centre. White daisies are known for their simple colour contrast, making them easy to pair with almost any other flower in the garden.

White daisies are commonly seen in:

lawns and meadows
roadside grasslands
garden borders
spring and summer bouquets

A well-known example in the UK is the Common Daisy (Bellis perennis), which grows wild and is also used ornamentally.

Yellow and White Daisy: A Colour Combination That Stands Out

Many daisies naturally show a yellow centre, but some people specifically look for yellow and white daisy types. These are flowers where the main petals appear white (or off-white), while the disk in the middle is yellow, golden, or deep orange.

This colour combo is so popular because it’s:

high contrast and easy to notice
“clean” and fresh in appearance
perfect for spring and summer styling

Common examples that fit the yellow-and-white daisy look include:

Shasta daisy
Oxeye daisy
Common daisy
Marguerite daisy

Depending on the species, the petals may be pure white, creamy white, or slightly ivory.

Types of Daisy Flowers: More Than One “Daisy”

Not all daisies are the same plant. The word “daisy” can describe several species and daisy-like flowers that share a similar form.

Below are some of the most well-known types of daisy flowers found in the UK and USA.

1) Common Daisy (Bellis perennis)

The common daisy is one of the most familiar small daisies in the UK and parts of the USA.

Key features

small size
low-growing habit
white petals with a yellow centre
sometimes pink-tinted edges

Where you’ll see it

lawns
parks
meadows
spring gardens

This flower is often considered a cheerful sign of warmer months returning.

2) Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum × superbum)

The Shasta daisy is one of the most famous large garden daisies and a popular choice for borders in both the UK and USA.

How it looks

bright white petals
bold yellow centre
tall stems
strong, clean flower shape

Why it’s popular

long-lasting blooms
makes a great cut flower
gives a classic “white daisy” appearance

Shasta daisies are often used in cottage gardens and summer borders.

3) Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)

The oxeye daisy is widely found across grasslands and roadsides and has become naturalised in many places.

Appearance

white petals
golden yellow centre
slightly wilder look than Shasta daisies

Important note
In some regions, oxeye daisies are considered invasive because they spread easily in fields and open landscapes. However, they remain a familiar part of wildflower scenes in the UK and in many parts of the USA.

4) African Daisy (Osteospermum)

African daisies are known for colour variety and a bold, vibrant look.

Common colours

white
yellow
purple
pink
orange

Some varieties have petals with:

spoon-like tips
dual-tone colouring
striking central rings

African daisies are common in seasonal containers and sunny garden spots.

5) Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)

Gerbera daisies are among the most popular daisy-like flowers used in floral arrangements and indoor displays.

What makes them stand out

large flower heads
thick, bright petals
strong colour choices: red, pink, orange, yellow, white

Gerberas are often used in:

gift bouquets
wedding arrangements
indoor pots in bright light

A white or pale-coloured gerbera can also fit the “white daisy” theme, though it looks more modern than traditional garden daisies.

6) Marguerite Daisy (Argyranthemum frutescens)

Marguerite daisies are bushy, productive bloomers that look wonderful in patio containers and borders.

Key traits

lots of small to medium daisy flowers
white petals with yellow centres (often)
slightly shrubby growth

These are especially popular in warm, sunny gardens and can flower for long stretches of the season.

7) English Daisy (Ornamental Forms of Bellis perennis)

While the common daisy grows wild, ornamental English daisies are often bred for fuller blooms.

Features

pom-pom style flowers (sometimes)
double petals
shades of white and pink
compact growing habit

These are popular in spring bedding displays in the UK and decorative garden edging.

Daisy Varieties: Shapes, Sizes, and Petal Styles

When people ask about daisy varieties, they usually want to know what makes one daisy different from another. The differences often come down to:

1) Flower size

small daisies (like common daisies)
medium daisies (like marguerite daisies)
large daisies (like Shasta daisies or gerberas)

2) Petal form

thin, simple petals
broad petals
spoon-shaped petals
layered “double” petals

3) Growth habit

ground-hugging daisies
upright border daisies
bushy daisies suited for containers

4) Seasonal bloom time

Some daisies appear in spring, others peak in summer, and some can bloom into autumn depending on local climate and growing conditions.

Small Daisies: Delicate Flowers With Big Impact

Small daisies are often overlooked because they don’t dominate a garden bed the way large flowers do. However, small daisies can offer something special: a soft, natural look that blends beautifully with grasses, wildflowers, and cottage-style planting.

Small daisies are ideal for:

wildlife-friendly gardens
natural meadow borders
small pots and edging
filling gaps between taller plants

Examples of small daisy types include:

common daisy (Bellis perennis)
some marguerite daisies
smaller asters (daisy-like in form)

In the UK especially, small daisies are part of the familiar countryside look. In the USA, similar small daisy-like flowers appear in wildflower mixes and prairie-style gardens.

Daisy Colours: Not Just White

The classic white daisy is famous for a reason, but daisies come in far more colours than many people expect.

White daisies

clean, bright, timeless
works in any colour scheme
common in garden borders and bouquets

Yellow daisies

Some daisy varieties have yellow petals, not just yellow centres. Yellow daisies add warmth and look great with blue and purple flowers.

Pink and purple daisies

Many modern daisy varieties offer pink and purple shades, often seen in:

African daisies
gerbera daisies
certain ornamental hybrids

Bi-colour and gradient daisies

Some daisy blooms have:

dark centres
light outer petals
ring patterns
subtle striping

These tend to look more decorative and are popular in container displays.

Daisies in Gardens: Where They Fit Best

Daisies can be used in many planting styles across the UK and USA.

Cottage garden style

Daisies pair nicely with:

lavender
roses
foxgloves
salvias
delphiniums

The white petals offer contrast and keep planting schemes looking balanced.

Modern garden borders

A row of Shasta daisies can create a clean look when paired with:

ornamental grasses
evergreen shrubs
minimal-colour planting themes

Wildlife-friendly planting

Daisy flowers can help attract:

bees
hoverflies
butterflies

Mixed planting with daisies can support biodiversity, especially when flowers bloom in different months.

Daisies Flowers in Bouquets and Arrangements

Daisies are often used in floral design because they carry a simple and natural beauty.

They suit:

hand-tied bouquets
wedding flowers
table centrepieces
casual garden-style arrangements

White daisies, in particular, are popular in:

spring celebrations
outdoor events
natural-themed weddings

Gerbera daisies are also common in modern florist arrangements due to their bold colours and large flower heads.

Daisy vs Daisy-Like Flowers: Why Confusion Happens

Many flowers look like daisies, even when they are not true “daisy” species. This is one reason people search “types of daisy flowers” and get a wide range of results.

Common daisy-like flowers include:

coneflowers (echinacea)
black-eyed Susans (rudbeckia)
asters
chrysanthemums
coreopsis

They share a similar flower shape—petals around a centre—so they get grouped into daisy categories in everyday language.

Daisies and Seasonal Interest in the UK and USA

Daisies appear across seasons depending on variety and region.

UK season highlights

common daisies often appear from early spring
ornamental daisies are common in spring bedding
Shasta daisies peak in summer gardens

USA season highlights

daisies in northern states peak in summer
in warmer states, some daisy varieties can bloom longer
gerberas are often used indoors or seasonally outdoors

Climate and local temperatures will always affect bloom times, but daisies remain strongly associated with warmer months and longer daylight.

Simple Ways to Recognise Different Daisy Varieties

If you’re trying to identify daisy varieties, look at these details:

1) Petal length and spacing

Some daisies have widely spaced petals, while others look fuller or layered.

2) Centre (disk) colour and size

small yellow disk: common daisy
large bold disk: Shasta or oxeye
dark purple disk: some African daisies

3) Stem height

short stems: lawn daisies
tall stems: border daisies and Shasta types
thick florist stems: gerbera daisies

4) Leaf shape

Leaves can tell you a lot:

spoon-shaped leaves in some bedding types
narrow leaves in shrubby daisies
larger coarse leaves in wild daisies

Daisies in Culture and Meaning

Daisies are often linked with positive symbolism. While meanings can vary, daisies are often associated with:

innocence
simplicity
fresh beginnings
joy and friendliness
springtime and renewal

This cultural connection is part of why daisies are a favourite choice for gifts and celebrations.

Common Issues People Notice With Daisy Plants

Different types of daisies can face different challenges, but a few concerns come up often in both the UK and USA.

1) Drooping flowers

This can happen due to:

hot afternoons
dry soil
very heavy blooms

2) Short bloom time

Some daisies bloom quickly and fade, especially if temperatures swing sharply. Other varieties bloom for longer.

3) Crowding

Many daisy plants spread or form clumps. Over time, they can become crowded, producing smaller flowers.

4) Insects and leaf problems

Aphids and leaf spots can appear, especially in humid conditions. Healthy airflow and good spacing often reduce issues.

Daisies Flowers as a Long-Term Garden Favourite

Daisies have remained popular for generations because they fit so naturally into the landscape. They can look equally at home:

in a neat garden border
in a wild meadow
in a simple jar arrangement on a kitchen table

From tiny lawn daisies to large showy Shasta blooms, daisies offer a wide range of choices for gardeners and flower lovers. Whether you’re drawn to small daisies, the classic yellow and white daisy look, or you’re exploring different types of daisy flowers, there’s something timeless about the daisy shape that never goes out of style.

In both the UK and USA, daisies are a simple reminder that the most loved flowers aren’t always the most complicated. Sometimes, it’s the clean petals, golden centres, and bright seasonal energy that make daisies unforgettable.