Daisies - They're Back!Daisies fell out of favor a few years ago, but fashion trends indicate they are on their way back. The symbol of all that is pure, fresh and innocent, the daisy (and its resurgence) has been boosted by the rise of white as a prominent color in floral designs. But this time around, the daisy has cast off the humble role it played in the past.
Yellow and white are dominant color themes, for example: daisies and baby's breath or yellow statice; daisies with yellow ranunculas; or daisies, yellow button pompons, and thoroughwax (bupleurum rotundifolium). Another twist is to add flowers in one strongly contrasting color: yellow daisies with bright purple iris; white daisies and bright purple larkspur. Daisy designs should be loose and carefree, emphasizing the easy-going ambiance of the flower in the styling. "The looser and more carefree, the better," says van Rems. | Pompons (Chrysanthemum morifolium) are also daisy contenders. These flowers are slightly smaller than marguerites, about 1 1/2 - 2 inches in diameter and they have a phenomenal vase life, at least 3 weeks. There are three main groups. The Vero series is distinctive for the purity of its colors, white and yellow, and the flower face is positioned slightly upward. Daisy pompons in the Reagan series have more petals than other types and yellow to green centers. Besides white and yellow, they are available in lavender, bronze, and coral. The Marble series pompons have been bred for longer laterals and are also available in colors other than white and yellow. For the miniature daisy look, there is the Micro series of daisy pompons, which have white, yellow, or blue flowers about 1 inch in diameter. These work best as filler flowers. To carry the daisy motif in large designs, the gerbera daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) is available in a multitude of colors. No daisy ensemble would be complete without Rudbeckias, the symbols of carefree country summers. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is an orange-yellow flower 2-4 inches in diameter with a black center. For an alternative, there is Green-eyed Susan with yellow petals and a green center. Both are available as specialty flowers in July and August and combine well with Queen Anne's lace, grasses and asters. |
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"In its new role, the daisy is the focal point in designs. Daisies are accompanied by filler flowers, or just one other focal flower," says Rene van Rems, CCFC director of promotion.