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The compositae family is one of the largest,
most-diverse family of plants. It comprises 950 genera and 20,000
species What they all have in common is their type of flower.
Commonly referred to as daisies, the flowers of the compositae family
are characterized by a circle of petals, called ray florets,
surrounding a prominent center. Daisies are a favorite of
butterflies. Their prominent center provides the perfect landing spot
for the butterfly and many are nectar filled, as well. There are many
different types of daisies, some with daisy in their name, and some
without. Click on a plant name below to order it from Pernell
Gerver's Online Store.
Shasta daisy is what most people picture when they think of daisies.
There are many different varieties of Shasta daisy and many can get
quite large. Shasta daisy 'Highland
White Dream' is a great improvement in Shasta daisy. It
bears huge, five-inch-wide white flowers that are semi double. It
blooms throughout summer. The large flowers on three-foot-tall stems
hold themselves up without staking. They make excellent cut flowers
and have a long vase life. It forms a handsome clump three feet high
and wide. |
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IF YOU GO: |
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Event: |
"The Compositae Family: Growing the Many Types
of Daisies" Workshop and Plant and Gardening Products Sale
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When: |
Thursday, July 19, 7 p.m., Kiley Middle School auditorium, 180 Cooley
Street, Springfield
Saturday, July 21, 10 a.m., Westfield Woman's Club auditorium, 28
Court Street, Westfield
Saturday, July 21, 3 p.m., Historic Northampton Museum Shepherd Barn,
behind 66 Bridge Street, Northampton |
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Cost: |
Free and open to the public |
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For more info.: |
Click here to read Pernell
Gerver's Gardening Workshop Series schedule and to get directions
from your location to any of the locations listed above. |
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 Coneflowers
are in the compositae family and a new introduction is Coneflower
'Kim's Mophead.' This low-growing variety of coneflower is a
size breakthrough in coneflower. It's a white-flowered variety that
bears large, three-inch-wide creamy-white flowers. The flowers have a
golden-brown, prominent, prickly cone in the center of its petals. It
grows just 12 to 15 inches tall, making it the ideal perennial for
the front of the flower bed or border. It blooms in midsummer and
continues to bloom into autumn. Like all coneflowers, it thrives in
sunny, hot locations and attracts butterflies to the garden.
 Coreopsis
'Sweet Dreams' is also in the compositae family. It's a
summer-blooming perennial that grows well in hot, sunny spots in the
garden. It's a color breakthrough in threadleaf coreopsis. It bears
masses of bicolored flowers that are white with deep pink surrounding
the center of each daisy-like flower. Flowers are held atop
finely-divided, thread-like foliage. It grows to 18 inches tall and
blooms from spring to fall.
 Asters
are also in the compositae family. There are many different types of
asters and one of my favorites is Aster
'Purple Dome.' It's a type of New England aster that
has a compact habit. It forms a perfect dome-shaped mound a
foot-and-a-half-high covered with small, daisy-like, purple flowers.
It blooms in September and October and is a great substitute for
hardy mums.
At my free
gardening workshop this week I’ll have a large selection
of these and many more plants in the compositae family for sale. See
the "If You Go" box for more information. |
by
Pernell Gerver
