Do you think they may need better drainage? Shasta Daisies rot at the slightest root-whiff of standing water.

I just have Shasta's right now. I usually dig up a few the second year from the clump, and transplant them in other places. The new clumps take off for the next year, even as the original clump declines. But to answer your question, my max is usually 3 years for one clump.

Clumsy, I will explore that issue, but I think it's not a problem in my beds. I just think they don't last more than 3 for me.

Lynn, I think we probably have similar conditions. Do you guys think Shastas do better in the south? Just kinda chewing over this and wondering.

I think you have to divide them every 2 years or so. The centers die out like many chrystanthemums. Try dividing the clump you have and fertilizing after it's had a chance to get established for a few months.

Hmm, I have my group - don't know what variety they are - about 3 - 3 1/2", nice clumping habit, not tall & rangy, don't fall over in the wind - in a south garden. I think I've had them about 5 years now; I had to divide them this past year because the clump had grown so much. I didn't notice any significant dying back, though. I think my shastas are til death us do part.

I am with drippy on that one! When I read yours were dieing I was shocked that they die! Mine are about 6 years old at this house and came from a clump Gramma has had for years.I always dead headed them in the past because I hate the look of the spent flower on them,so I know they werent re seeding.Maybe different types of shastas live longer than others? Mine is Alaska and will not be stopped...lol..

My shasta daisies died too after having them about three years. They were really great at first then just started declining. I didn't know I was supposed to divide them. Maybe I'll try them again. Did someone say mums are the same way? I have some of them that are looking bad after having them a few years.

They are short lived here if I don't divide them...big clumpos die out easily andprobably from crown rot as I think they do best in very well draining soil. They are very eaisly increase by division which grow well in a few short months. Rejuvenation/increase by division seems to be the best way to go. There is a pesky reseeding wildflower daisy that is lovely in wildflower bouquests, but it can become a nuisance plant if it's not deadheaded before setting seed.

I have two footings of the Shasta Crazy Daisy/ Leucanthemum x Superbum Crazy Daisy. They've been in the same spot for about 5 years, spreading out just a bit. Last year in the spring, I took small divisions on the side of one to start more in other areas of the gardens and by the fall the main plant had grown back to it's original size pre-division.

I really like this one. It just puzzles me why your's don't make it since they aren't fuss-balls.

My opinion is that with perennials that have a very long blooming season (Shastas, Gallardia and others) they burn themselves out quickly. If you want to keep them going, just take a hunk out of it every year and transplant.

Interesting. My Alaska shasta daisies drasticly went down hill last summer--I didn't know why. They were four years old and I had never divided them...I will need to winter sown new plants this winter.

Drippy, you gotta have Becky. In the South some shastas can last only a year. I have one early, early blooming bunch of shasta with tiny leaves and long floppy stems which is long lived. I think it even lived through this drought. One of the only survivors from the home owner before me. I think it is probably a cultivar from the 20's. Since it blooms in March, I never think to keep seed. I'll have to do so this year. Not the best of garden habits but it is always a cheer, here so early!

GGG

I just winter sowed some last winter. I had two varieties..Becky and Snowcap. I had good germination, planted the seedlings out late, but half of them bloomed by late summer and were still in bloom up to the frost. I was amazed at how large a blooming clump I had from first year seedlings. I wasn't sure what to expect, whether the Hybrid varieties would come true from seed, but they seem to have. Previously I had Alaska, which I didn't like. It was taller than I wanted and flopped horribly and I wasn't expecting to stake it.

The Becky is a very neat compact shorter variety that had no flopping and the Snow cap was even more compact. I can't wait to see what they look like next year. I didn't realize that they prefer really good drainage, but I am relieved that I did plant them all in the right place. A full sun bed, that is more like a berm that should give them great drainage.

This is not a very good picture. The blossoms weren't fresh and the surrounding plants are looking pretty spent, but it was at the end of one of our driest summers yet and this particular bed had received very little supplemental watering. You can see there are two clumps and the one on the right is smaller. I am planning on moving them in the spring to give them more room. It was taken on September 25th.

{{gwi:343649}}

A big thank you to two people who traded me these seed!! You know who you are. :-)

pm2

Nice picture! I had two small clumps of Shasta daisys and they are gone after 2 years. I thought it was something I did!

I divide mine all the time, so I have had them for many years. Ws'd the Crazy Daisy, can't wait to see them!

If you like Shastas but don't care for those that get tall and droopy, consider trying "Silver Princess". It is a more compact, dwarf variety...grows to about 12-16". I love it and am changing all my clumps of the larger varieties to Silver Princess-well, except for my clumps of "Crazy Daisy".

Both were very easy to start from seed. I started them in my GH though, not WS.

All shastas do require regular dividing to keep them tidy and vigorous and from getting the dreaded dead centre spot.