Daisies as Perennials

Yellow daisies are prolific bloomers.  Both the Copper Canyon Daisy and the Angelita Daisy bloom hardy and strong into the fall – through the long hot Texas summer.  It grows wild in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona and northern Mexico, but it goes very well with native-Texas plants in Hill Country gardens.

(See Purple Daisies Here)  (Daisies White and Yellow)  (English Daisies)

 

Angelita Daisy | Tetraneuris acaulis | 6–12 in | Spring to Fall | 5–9 | Excellent | Attracts pollinators | Earth-Kind® Recommended|

Chocolate Daisy | Berlandiera lyrata | 12–24 in | Spring to Fall | 4–9 | Excellent | Nectar for bees | Earth-Kind® Plant |

Oxeye Daisy | Leucanthemum vulgare | 12–36 in | Late Spring | 3–9 | Moderate | Some pollinator use | Not Recommended by Texas A&M|

Englishman’s Daisy| Bellis perennis | 4–6 in | Spring | 4–8 | Low | Limited | Not Recommended by Texas A&M |

The Copper Canyon Daisy

This a more robust bloomer as you can see below.  It does not bloom until August and blooms heartily all fall!  Think of it as a early and prolific mum.  It does like coliche soils but that does not mean it will not bloom well in sandy soil.

Copper_Canyon_Daisy-2

Englishman's Daisy hardy Texas perennial

Englishman's Daisy

Englishman’s Daisy

Ox Eye Daisy Texas Perennial - April to May Bloomer

The Englishman’s Daisy is prolific and hardy.

  • Also Known As: Oxeye Daisy, Common Daisy

  • Botanical Name: Leucanthemum vulgare

  • Family: Asteraceae

  • Type: Herbaceous perennial (but can behave as a short-lived perennial or biennial in warmer climates)

Growth Habit and Size

  • Height: 1–3 feet

  • Spread: 12–18 inches

  • Foliage: Medium green, deeply lobed basal leaves

  • Flowers: Classic white daisy blooms with yellow centers

  • Bloom Season: Late spring through early summer; occasional reblooming in fall in cooler parts of Texas

  • USDA Zones: 3–9

Performance in Texas

  • In North and Central Texas, Leucanthemum vulgare can grow as a perennial if provided with:

    • Well-drained soil

    • Afternoon shade in hot summers

    • Occasional deadheading and division every few years

  • In South Texas, the heat may cause the plant to act more like a cool-season perennial or biennial, declining in mid-summer.

  • Best suited for zones 7–9 within the state, with more reliable returns in regions that get winter chill and aren’t overly humid.

Cultural Requirements

  • Sun: Full sun to partial shade

  • Soil: Tolerates poor soils but requires good drainage

  • Water: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established

  • Maintenance: Deadhead to prolong bloom; divide clumps every 2–3 years for vigor

Texas A&M or Earth-Kind® Recognition

  • While not currently featured on the Texas A&M Earth-Kind® plant lists, Englishman’s Daisy is:

    • Used successfully in cottage gardens and naturalized meadows

    • Appreciated for its pollinator appeal and low-maintenance needs

Design Uses

  • Excellent for wildflower gardens, cottage borders, and naturalized fields

  • Pairs well with purple coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, and ornamental grasses

 

Chocolate Daisy

This  Texas Perennial has a chocolate fragrance.

Chocolate Daisy a Texas perennial with chocolate fragrance

Chocolate Daisy

  • Also Known As: Chocolate Flower, Green Eyes

  • Botanical Name: Berlandiera lyrata

  • Family: Asteraceae

  • Type: Perennial wildflower

Growth Habit and Size

  • Height: 1–2 feet

  • Spread: 1–2 feet

  • Foliage: Gray-green, deeply lobed, aromatic leaves

  • Flowers: Bright yellow, daisy-like petals with a deep maroon center; chocolate scent most intense in the morning

  • Bloom Season: Spring through early fall; heaviest in spring

  • USDA Zones: 4–9

Performance in Texas

  • Exceptionally well-suited for Texas landscapes, especially in:

    • Central and West Texas

    • Dry, rocky, or sandy soils

  • Thrives in hot, arid environments and is ideal for xeriscaping

  • Can tolerate poor soil and reflected heat, making it a favorite for low-maintenance beds and roadside plantings

Cultural Requirements

  • Sun: Full sun

  • Soil: Well-drained, sandy or rocky soil

  • Water: Very low once established; drought-tolerant

  • Maintenance: Minimal; deadheading encourages longer bloom; may reseed naturally

Texas A&M or Earth-Kind® Recognition

  • Yes – Chocolate Daisy is a Texas native and often included in native plant lists and Earth-Kind®-approved wildflowers by:

    • Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

    • Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

  • Valued for wildlife gardens, pollinator support, and low water usage

Wildlife and Garden Benefits

  • Attracts: Bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects

  • Deer-resistant: Due to its aromatic foliage

  • Fragrance: The flowers emit a strong chocolate scent, especially noticeable in the morning sun

Design Uses

  • Ideal for prairie gardens, rock gardens, pollinator habitats, and low-water borders

  • Combines beautifully with native grasses, salvias, blackfoot daisy, and Engelmann’s daisy

 

Angelita Daisy

The Angelita Daisy is a more delicate daisy.  In the spring the blooms are hardier and more prolific.  I like the delicate wild look of the Angelita.

Angelita Daisy

Angelita Daisy

  • Also Known As: Angelita, Angelita Daisy Bush

  • Botanical Name: Tetraneuris acaulis (formerly Hymenoxys acaulis)

  • Family: Asteraceae

  • Type: Perennial wildflower

Growth Habit and Size

  • Height: 6–12 inches

  • Spread: 12–18 inches

  • Foliage: Narrow, grass-like dark green leaves forming dense clumps

  • Flowers: Bright golden-yellow, daisy-like blooms held above foliage on slender stems

  • Bloom Season: Nearly year-round in warm climates, especially spring and fall

  • USDA Zones: 5–10

Performance in Texas

  • Performs extremely well in Central and West Texas, and coastal regions with good drainage

  • Excellent choice for drought-prone areas and low-maintenance urban landscapes

  • Withstands intense heat, full sun, and highly reflective surfaces

Cultural Requirements

  • Sun: Full sun required for maximum flowering

  • Soil: Well-drained, sandy or rocky soil preferred

  • Water: Very low once established; one of the most drought-tolerant perennials

  • Maintenance: Very low; deadheading spent blooms can enhance appearance but is not required

Texas A&M or Earth-Kind® Recognition

  • Yes – Frequently featured in Earth-Kind® trials and Texas Superstar® trials for tough perennials

  • Promoted by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension as an ideal native perennial for:

    • Xeriscapes

    • Traffic medians

    • Pollinator gardens

  • Known for high performance with minimal care in public spaces

Wildlife and Garden Benefits

  • Attracts: Butterflies and native bees

  • Deer-resistant: Foliage is not highly palatable to deer

  • Tolerates urban pollution, making it a good choice for city gardens or roadside plantings

Design Uses

  • Works beautifully in rock gardens, wildflower beds, along sidewalks, and in containers

  • Combines well with other drought-hardy natives like blackfoot daisy, four-nerve daisy, and salvia greggii

Texas A&M-Approved Daisy Perennials

  1. Angelita Daisy (Tetraneuris acaulis)

    • Compact, low-growing perennial

    • Blooms: Spring through fall

    • Zones: 5–9

    • Noted for heat and drought tolerance

    • Earth-Kind® recommended

  2. Chocolate Daisy (Berlandiera lyrata)

    • Native Texas perennial

    • Blooms: Spring to fall, chocolate-scented flowers

    • Zones: 4–9

    • Highly drought-tolerant

    • Earth-Kind® recommended

  3. Engelmann Daisy (Engelmannia peristenia)

    • Native to central Texas

    • Blooms: Early spring to summer

    • Zones: 5–9

    • Excellent pollinator plant

    • Recommended in Texas native landscapes

 

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