Daisies and Asters Do Well in Dallas and All of Texas

Yellow Daisies — Purple Daisies — White Daisies

There are many wonderful daisies and Asters that thrive in Texas.

Leopard’s Bane

Leopard’s Bane (Doronicum orientale) is an early-blooming perennial grown for its bright yellow, daisy-like flowers that appear in early spring. Native to Europe and western Asia, it performs best in cooler climates and moist, well-drained soils, thriving in part shade to full sun where summer heat is not extreme.

In Texas, limit it to North Texas or shaded microclimates with rich soil and consistent moisture. The plant typically grows 1 to 2 feet tall, with clumping foliage and upright stems that bloom before most other daisies emerge.

Englishman’s Daisy

An Englishman’s Daisy, Texas yellow April blooming native perennial.

Englishman’s Daisy

Englishman’s Daisy pictured with Red Tansy and feathery Artemesia.  Artemesia is a good complement to daisies.

Ox Eye Daisy Incredibly Hardy and Texas Friendly

Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare) is a hardy, herbaceous perennial that produces classic white, daisy-like flowers with yellow centers and blooms from late spring through summer. It typically grows 1 to 3 feet tall and spreads by rhizomes and seed. Oxeye Daisy can be invasive nature, especially in disturbed soils or wildflower areas.

It tolerates a wide range of soils, thrives in full sun, and is drought-tolerant once established, but it can quickly overtake native plant communities if not controlled.

Oxeye Daisy has not received major horticultural awards in the U.S. and is classified as an aggressive or invasive species in many states. For gardeners in Texas looking for a similar look, Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum) or native Engelmann Daisy are better choices—they offer the same visual appeal without the risk of spreading uncontrollably.

Shasta Daisies

Shasta Daisies (Leucanthemum × superbum) are classic perennial garden flowers known for their large white petals and bright yellow centers, blooming reliably from late spring into summer. Developed by American horticulturist Luther Burbank in the late 1800s, these daisies are hybrids, bred for larger blooms, longer flowering periods, and stronger stems than their wild cousins.

Shasta Daisies perform best in full sun and well-drained soil, and they’re well-suited to North and Central Texas where summers are hot but soils can be managed for drainage. They typically grow 2 to 3 feet tall and work well in borders, cottage gardens, and cutting gardens. While not native, they are low-maintenance and moderately drought-tolerant once established, although they benefit from occasional watering during dry periods.

Several cultivars have received formal recognition. For example:

• ‘Becky’ has won the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit and is widely praised for heat tolerance, strong stems, and long-lasting blooms. It often grows taller than other varieties—up to 4 feet.

• ‘Snow Lady’ is a compact cultivar ideal for small gardens or containers and also holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Shasta Daisies do best with deadheading to prolong flowering and division every few years to maintain vigor. They’re a solid choice for Texas gardeners

Asters / Purple Daisies bloom at varying times but do well in Texas.

African Daisy (Osteospermum spp.), also spelled Osteospermosum or more correctly Osteospermum, is a heat- and sun-loving plant valued for its daisy-like blooms in bold colors like purple, white, yellow, orange, and pink, often with striking blue or purple centers. Though native to South Africa, many modern hybrids are bred specifically for garden use and are commonly grown as cool-season annuals in Texas.

African Daisies thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, blooming best during late winter, spring, and early summer. In Texas, they are often planted in February or March and will flower into May or June, slowing or stopping during the peak summer heat. Some cultivars may rebound with a second bloom in early fall if conditions allow.

While African Daisies have not received major U.S. national garden awards, several cultivars have gained recognition:

• ‘Soprano Purple’ and ‘Soprano White’ are known for uniform blooming and compact habit, often recommended in commercial bedding programs.

• The Bright Lights™ series (e.g., Bright Lights™ Purple) has been promoted by Proven Winners for improved heat performance and longer blooming periods.

• Some trailing types like ‘Daisy Falls™ Purple’ hold plant patents due to their horticultural uniqueness and value in hanging baskets or containers.

African Daisies are best treated as annuals in most parts of Texas. They’re well suited to borders, containers, and mass plantings, and benefit from deadheading, though newer varieties may be self-cleaning. They’re also deer-resistant and attract butterflies and bees, making them both decorative and ecologically beneficial.

African Daisy and Dusty Miller. African Daisy – Osterperosum does well in Texas.

African Daisy – Osterperosum with feathery artemesia and Salvia Greggii. All do well in Texas.

Purple Daisy Osterposis does well in Texas.

African Daisy – Osterperosum does well in Texas.

Daisy Aster Tongolensis 

Aster × tongolensis, sometimes referred to as Daisy Aster ‘Tongolensis’, is a herbaceous perennial native to western China and the Himalayan foothills. It produces lavender-blue, daisy-like flowers with orange centers in late spring to early summer, offering a soft, cottage-garden look. While attractive, this aster is not ideally suited for most of Texas, especially not Central or South Texas, due to its preference for cooler summers, moderate humidity, and consistent moisture.

It may survive in North Texas or cooler microclimates if grown in part shade with rich, well-drained soil and regular watering, but it is not widely recommended by Texas horticultural experts. Unlike native asters and drought-tolerant daisies, Aster tongolensis lacks the heat and drought resistance necessary for reliable performance across the state.

This variety has not received major garden awards like the RHS Award of Garden Merit, and it is rarely promoted in Texas plant trials or university extension programs.

Gardeners in Texas looking for long-blooming, daisy-style perennials should consider native Engelmann Daisy, Blackfoot Daisy, or award-winning cultivars of Shasta Daisy for a more climate-appropriate alternative.

Copper Canyon Daisy, Tried and True for Texas

It can grow up to 4 to 6 feet tall and wide and tolerates heat, drought, and rocky or sandy soils. This plant performs well in South and Central Texas and is valued for its deer resistance and long bloom time.

While not formally awarded, it is highly recommended by Texas horticulturists and has been featured in many drought-tolerant demonstration gardens.

Copper Canyon is THE one for a long lived daisy.  Highly recommend this not just as a daisy but as a plant.  

Amsonia ciliata var. texana (Texas Bluestar)

Native to Texas and Oklahoma, this variety, also known as Fringed Bluestar, features narrow, linear leaves and pale blue flowers in spring. It grows up to 2 feet tall and prefers full sun and well-drained soils. While it hasn’t received national awards, its adaptability to Texas conditions makes it a valuable addition to native plant gardens.

Amsonia tomentosa (Woolly Bluestar)

Found in West Texas and the southwestern U.S., Amsonia tomentosa is a compact perennial with woolly stems and leaves. It produces clusters of white to pale blue flowers and is highly tolerant of heat, drought, and poor soils. Though not widely cultivated, its resilience makes it suitable for xeriscaping and low-maintenance landscapes in arid regions.

In Texas, some daisies must be treated as annuals because of the extreme summer heat, poor humidity tolerance, or insufficient cold hardiness—depending on the region and the plant’s native climate. Even though these daisies may technically be perennials elsewhere, they don’t survive long-term outdoors in Texas without special care.

Why Some Daisies Act Like Annuals in Texas

1. Heat Sensitivity: Some species stop blooming or decline rapidly in high summer temperatures (e.g., African Daisies).

2. Poor Cold Tolerance: Others can’t handle Texas freezes, especially in Zones 7–8 (e.g., Marguerite Daisies).

3. Humidity Issues: Some are prone to fungal diseases in humid conditions, common in East and Central Texas.

4. Short Bloom Windows: Many daisies that bloom in spring and early summer won’t perform through fall, making them best as seasonal plantings.

Daisies Commonly Treated as Annuals in Texas

What to Do Instead

• Use these daisies as early-season color—plant in late winter or early spring, remove when they fade.

• Look for heat-tolerant or native alternatives, like Blackfoot Daisy, Engelmann Daisy, or Chocolate Daisy, which thrive across much of Texas and return each year.

 Gerbera Daisies

Gerbera Daisies have long been one of my favorite plants. They are heavy feeders but surprisingly hardy. I use Osmocote and a lot of it to keep them blooming.  Gerbera daisies bloom all summer with a strong first showing but more to come!

Blue Star blooms with Shastas

Notably, ‘Storm Cloud’ has garnered multiple awards for its outstanding performance, while native species like A. hubrichtii and A. ciliata var. texana provide regionally adapted choices for sustainable gardening.

‘Storm Cloud’ emerges in spring with near-black stems and dark green leaves accented by silver veins. It produces abundant periwinkle-blue flowers in late spring. This cultivar is heat and humidity tolerant, deer-resistant, and maintains a compact, mounded form. ‘Storm Cloud’ has received multiple accolades, including:​Set Apart Farm & Gardens+2Texas Master Gardeners+2Walters Gardens+2

• Top Performer at Mississippi State University Ornamental Trials in 2021.

• Top Performer at Michigan State University in 2022.

• 2024 Proven Winners National Landscape Perennial of the Year. ​

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Angelita Daisy – Texas Perennial

Angelita Daisy (Tetraneuris acaulis), also known as stemless four-nerve daisy, is a compact, evergreen perennial native to the southwestern United States, including Texas. It forms tidy mounds of grassy, bluish-green foliage and produces bright yellow, daisy-like flowers nearly year-round, with peak blooming in winter and spring. Reaching about 10 to 12 inches in height and up to 18 inches in width, Angelita Daisy thrives in full sun and well-drained soils, making it ideal for xeriscaping, rock gardens, borders, and containers.

This plant is exceptionally heat and drought-tolerant once established, requiring minimal maintenance. It is hardy to -20°F, allowing it to withstand both hot Texas summers and occasional cold snaps. Angelita Daisy attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies, contributing to the ecological health of gardens.

Here is a list of daisies recommended by Texas A&M and other daisies recognized for thriving in hot, dry climates:

Daisies Recommended by Texas A&M:

1. Blackfoot Daisy (Melampodium leucanthum)

   • Texas Native & Texas Superstar®

   • Small, mounded perennial with white daisy-like flowers and yellow centers.

   • Extremely drought-tolerant, thrives in poor, well-drained soils.

   • Blooms from spring through fall with minimal water needs.

2. Engelmann Daisy (Engelmannia peristenia)

   • Native perennial with yellow petals and a compact form.

   • Heat and drought-tolerant, grows well in Central and West Texas.

   • Commonly used in wildflower mixes and naturalized areas.

Other Daisies for Dry, Hot Climates:

1. Desert Marigold (Baileya multiradiata)

   • Native to the Southwest U.S., produces golden-yellow flowers.

   • Thrives in arid environments with sandy, rocky soils.

   • Excellent for xeriscaping and low-maintenance landscapes.

2. African Daisy (Osteospermum spp.)

   • Comes in shades of white, yellow, purple, and orange.

   • Prefers full sun and well-drained soil, tolerates dry conditions once established.

   • Often grown as an annual in Texas heat zones.

3. Copper Canyon Daisy (Tagetes lemmonii)

   • Tall perennial with fragrant foliage and bright yellow daisy-like flowers.

   • Heat-tolerant and deer-resistant, blooms profusely in fall.

   • Used as a large-scale filler or backdrop plant in dry landscapes.

4. Fleabane Daisy (Erigeron spp.)

   • Drought-tolerant with small, dainty flowers in white, pink, or lavender.

   • Ideal for naturalized gardens and rocky settings.

   • Blooms over long periods with little care.

Which daisies grow best in Texas heat and drought?

A: Native species like Blackfoot Daisy, Engelmann Daisy, and Chocolate Daisy perform best in Texas due to their ability to handle full sun, poor soils, and limited water. These plants are naturally adapted to the region’s climate and require minimal care once established.

When do most daisies bloom in Texas?

A: Many daisies bloom from spring through early summer, but some—like Chocolate Daisy and Blackfoot Daisy—can bloom into fall with proper care. Copper Canyon Daisy is a notable exception that blooms mainly in late fall, adding seasonal color when most perennials have faded.

 Do any daisy varieties have official garden awards?

A: Yes. The Shasta Daisy cultivar ‘Becky’ has received the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society for its strong stems, large blooms, and heat tolerance. Native varieties such as Engelmann Daisy and Blackfoot Daisy have not received national awards but are frequently recommended by Texas native plant organizations for their performance.

Are daisies good for pollinators in Texas gardens?

A: Yes. Daisies, particularly native types like Chocolate Daisy and Engelmann Daisy, attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Their long bloom times and open flower structure make them ideal for pollinator gardens.

Are daisies suitable for small urban gardens or containers?

A: Yes, several compact varieties like Blackfoot Daisy, ‘Snow Lady’ Shasta Daisy, and Chocolate Daisy are well-suited for containers, raised beds, and urban landscapes, as long as they receive full sun and have well-drained soil.