Perennial or annual? (Daisy)

Bellis perennis has a two-year life cycle

Among the 12 Bellis species from the Mediterranean region, Bellis perennis was the only specimen that made its way north in the distant past. In the course of evolution, the distinctive flowering plant developed an ingenious survival strategy for the bitterly cold winters in Central and Northern Europe. The result is growth as a biennial mini perennial with such resounding success that daisies are now among the most famous plants in Europe. The connections in a nutshell:

• In the year of sowing: Growth of a green, dense rosette of leaves
• In the following spring: shoots of leafless, upright stems, each with a flower head
• Annual flowering from spring to the first frost
• In parallel with the flowering period: sowing seeds for reproduction

After the flowering period, a Bellis perennis dies. Since the mother plant had previously provided for numerous offspring by means of self-sowing, the delicate flower festival continues from year to year. For real

hardy up to - 34 degrees Celsius is therefore the rosette of leaves from which the flower stalks rise in the year after sowing.

Bellis flowers stand up to frost

Bellis flowers benefit from the robust winter hardiness of their green leaf rosettes. The white-yellow ray flowers unfold early in the year when other perennials are still in their winter dormancy. Temperatures down to - 8 degrees Celsius do not prevent Tausendschön from flirting with the first rays of sunshine. In rainy or bitter weather frost the clever mini-perennials quickly close their flower heads and wait for the next sunny day.

Hybrids need winter protection

The wild daisy in particular can fall back on a stable winter hardiness of up to - 34 degrees Celsius. Cultivated forms such as the lushly filled daisy 'Roggli' have lost their tolerance to frost. A thick layer of leaves protects against frostbite in the bed. We recommend a cover made of winter fleece or bubble wrap in the tub and box.