The hardiness of daisies

Early Bellis are sensitive to frost - this is how you prevent frost damage

Just in time for the beginning of spring, the shelves in garden centers fill up with brightly colored Bellis. Driven by the longing for the first flowers in the bed, hobby gardeners plant out the little beauties immediately and are bitterly disappointed. Even a frosty night puts an end to the short Bellis life. This does not have to be the case if you harden cold-sensitive daisies that have been grown in the greenhouse. That is how it goes:

• During the day, set up Bellis behind glass in a partially shaded, sheltered place on the balcony
• Put them in the house or greenhouse before sunset
• Proceed with this method for 8 to 10 days

This acclimatization phase optimizes the frost tolerance of preferred daisies. If you want to be on the safe side, plant Bellis varieties at the end of April / beginning of May. For noble premium varieties with richly double flowers, the planting time begins after the ice saints, when there is no longer any fear of frost.

Direct sowing produces robust Bellis - patience pays off

Sowing Bellis directly into the bed will avoid any frost hardiness concerns. As biennial plants, daisies outlast the first winter in the form of a native rosette of leaves. This green tuft of leaves is hardy to -34 degrees Celsius and does not require any protective measures. With the beginning of spring, slender, leafless flower stalks rise from the rosette, at the tips of which the distinctive flower heads are enthroned.

The charming flowers can withstand frost down to - 8 degrees Celsius, so that in mild locations they develop as early as February / March and last until deep into autumn.