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There may be 703 entries for “daisy” in PlantFiles, but Ox-Eye Daisies are special…
Ox-Eye Daisies, or Field Daisies, are my mother's favorite flower. As a child bringing the cows back from the far pasture, she'd come home with armloads of them. I grew up knowing their cheerful faces had a special beauty. Any time I saw them, I had to pick a few - and sometimes more than a few! - to bring home to my mom. After all, they were her favorite!
Ox-Eye Daisies (Leucanthemum vulgare) can be found in abundant sweeps of bloom in sunny fields and along roadsides. They're not picky about soil quality or water supply, and they're definitely tougher than your average hothouse petunia. As a spreading and reseeding perennial, it may come back in larger and more numerous clumps each year. But its shallow roots make it fairly easy to pull out if it pops up in an inconvenient spot.
Any flower that occurs in flocks of thousands is made for picking. Whether you put a few short-stemmed blooms in a little vase or combine an armful of daisies with other wildflowers or cottage garden favorites, daisies make delightful cut flowers. Next to dandelions, they may be the flower most often picked "for Mommy."
I can remember my delight one afternoon in finding a whole field of daisies in exuberant bloom when I was out bike riding. I rolled up my sleeves and waded into them, picking and picking until my bicycle basket overflowed. I rushed them home to get them to my mom, and into water. We put them into vase after vase and jar after jar, until there were bouquets of daisies in every room of the house.
I've never understood why florists prefer bold Shasta Daisies to the wilder, more delicate charm of Ox-Eyes. My mother wanted Ox-Eye Daisies for her wedding bouquet, but was told that she'd have to make do with Shasta Daisies. Not that Shasta Daises aren't pretty, but they're not the flowers she picked as a child. Nonetheless, my father surprises her with a bouquet of Shasta Daisies every year on May Day as well as on their anniversary. (And after 47 years, she's always surprised.) She loves them because they remind her of "real" daisies.
Daisies work well for the fortune-telling game of "He loves me... He loves me not." With each repetition, you pull off a petal, and the last petal gives you your answer. Ox-eye Daisies must generally have odd numbers of petals, because they almost always me give the best answer, "He loves me!" As my mother taught me, any daisy that gives you a different result is clearly defective. You must toss it aside and quickly pick another one.
As an adult, I still can't go past a stand of daisies without thinking of my mom and, if possible, picking some for her. I've made my husband pull over at an intersection while I dashed out of the car to snatch as many daisies as I could before the light changed. We were on our way to see my family, and I just knew my mom needed daisies.
Ox-Eye Daisies are considered a weed by some (never in our family!), and I don't think I've ever seen plants for sale. However, I've transplanted a few roadside clumps, and I've winter sowed some seeds, and I've encouraged any volunteers that pop up. Now I have my own clumps of Ox-Eye Daisies out among my little fruit trees, and I'm hoping they'll increase each year. Of course, they'd have better odds of self-sowing if I didn't keep cutting so many flowers!
There are other flowers to pick in the wild tangle growing around our little orchard: bright Zinnias, frilly Love-in-a-Mist, striped Mallow, tall Cosmos, airy Queen Anne's Lace. But the flowers that our nieces and nephews and the neighborhood kids go for straightaway are the blooming clumps of Ox-Eye Daisies. And the question they ask me is always the same. "Please, can I pick some of these for my mom?"
Photos by Jill Nicolaus.
For a look at a similar but fall-blooming daisy, check out SallyG's article on Montauk Daisies.
Happy Birthday, Mom!
Hope your day is daisy-special.
About Jill M. Nicolaus
Better known as "Critter" on DG, Jill gardens in Frederick, MD. This week, I've been picking luscious heirloom tomatoes (finally!). I'm trying to focus on the beauty in my garden rather than seeing all the projects that didn't happen this summer. It's important to stop & enjoy the fruits of our labors! (Images in my articles are from my photos, unless otherwise credited.)
Posted by Bookerc1 (from Mackinaw, IL) on June 30, 2008 at 3:39 PM:
My poor mother was so allergic to daisies, but tried so hard to be gracious and accept all of our fistfuls of flowers! It wasn't until I was older that I understood the connection to her horrible sneezing fits, and that her eyes were watering from an allergic reaction, not gratitude! LOL
I still think of her and laugh whenever I see patches of these daisies, and when my own boys troop into the house with bouquets of dandelions, clover, and violets!
Thanks for the wonderful story!
Angie
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on June 30, 2008 at 7:47 PM:
Oh, Angie, LOL... well, you know, it's the thought that counts, and I'm sure she appreciated the love in every daisy you ever handed to her!
:-)
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Subject: Great story!
Posted by DriftingDude (from Charleston, SC) on June 30, 2008 at 1:33 PM:
I always love those ox-eye daisies. They remind me when i was a child walking along the road seeing them growing. Thank you for the article.
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on June 30, 2008 at 2:09 PM:
You're welcome! I'm glad other people share my fondness for them. :-)
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Subject: Musings from Critter
Posted by wyldeflwr (from Laurel, MD) on June 30, 2008 at 7:32 AM:
Once again, your writing brought back fond memories of childhood for others and me. As I told you, I always enjoy what you write. You really should put all your "musings" in book form. The more you share, the closer I feel to you and all the others who are of like mind. Thank you.
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on June 30, 2008 at 10:04 AM:
Thanks for your kind words! I'm really enjoying publishing right here on DG -- sharing with others "of like mind" as you said. The interactive nature of this is also really neat... :-)
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Subject: Sweet story
Posted by pamsaplantin (from Morgantown, WV) on June 29, 2008 at 10:31 PM:
Unfortunately I am among the ones who have started thinking of them as weeds. I originally imported a few from the hayfield adjacent to our property. But now they are invading all over the place. I sent several to a DGer that's trying to establish a meadow, but I that was just the tip of the iceberg. I have finally accepted the fact that I will have to pull them up when they are not where they should be. That goes against my nature, (I tend to nurture & transplant everything) but I had to draw the line. They are pretty though.
I suspect the reason florists will not use field daisies is because of the unpleasant odor. I never noticed it as a kid, but they really do smell bad.
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on June 29, 2008 at 11:57 PM:
I don't think I've ever noticed a bad odor to them. I do understand though about the way some flowers reseed just a little too enthusiastically... in my garden this year, it's garlic chives and morning glories that I've had to pull up in a few places because they were just overtaking other plants I was trying to nurture.
...
Posted by pamsaplantin (from Morgantown, WV) on June 30, 2008 at 12:43 AM:
Take a good whiff of the foliage the next time you pick some. Of course, I suspect smell is very individual. I think sage stinks, too. But I've heard others say sage smells good. ??? But I know I'm not alone in my dislike for the smell of field daisies. I've heard others comment on it.
I'll share a good daisy story with you, too. When my children were very small (probably all under 8) they picked a small bouquet of field daisies & brought them to me for an elderly couple we knew from church. I arranged them in a bright colored mug & we took them to their house. They were thrilled to receive them. I thought "it really doesn't take much to brighten someone's day". Not very long after that the husband passed away. When we went to the funeral home we met some of his family members that we hadn't known previously. When I introduced myself several people said, "Oh, you're the one who brought him flowers. You can't imagine how much they meant to him. He told us he would much rather have a few flowers now, instead of all the baskets of flowers at his funeral." I was floored!! He had even told his family about those flowers. A handful of "weeds" in a mug.
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Posted by wyldeflwr (from Laurel, MD) on June 30, 2008 at 7:27 AM:
Pam, the next time you want to get rid of some of the plants or if you happen to have seeds for this, I sure would love some! I wanted hubby to stop the other day so I could raid a roadside bed for plants. He wouldn't. He worries so much about the police stopping me that he has me wondering now. I used to keep a small shovel in the trunk. I did have a sister-in-law get stopped for doing the same thing, kinda, she was trying to rescue something but they didn't quite see it that way.
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on June 30, 2008 at 12:07 PM:
Flower, I'll see if I can catch my plants at the right time for seeds... and if you're ever up this way, I'll happily dig you a clump!
That's a really neat story about the flowers your kids picked, Pam! "Little" things sometimes really aren't so little, especially when it comes to something as sweet as a children's bouquet of flowers!
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Subject: Perfect
Posted by crashbandiscoot (from Springfield, OH) on June 29, 2008 at 7:21 AM:
This has got to be the sweetest article I have read, well, I can't remember in how long.
Daisies are my most favorite flower in the whole world! I got married on June 30th last year, and yes, I had Daisies for my wedding!! Daisies everywhere!! My MIL couldn't believe it.
I went to help a fellow DG member weed their gardens and asked if I could have some of her ox-eyed daisies, and was told they had already been weeded out. I could have died!!
Thanks so much for writing this article, it made me think warm and fuzzy thoughts, just like the flower!
Happy Birthday to Critter's Mom!
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on June 29, 2008 at 1:37 PM:
Happy Anniversary, Crash!! I'm so glad others share our love of daisies... they do indeed have a "warm & fuzzy" place in my heart!
:-)
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Posted by goofybulb (from El Paso, TX) on June 29, 2008 at 4:38 PM:
Happy birthday, Jill's Mom!
And Happy anniversary, Crashbandiscoot!
A wonderful article, Jill, it reminded me of my picking wild flowers for Mom and Grandma! There was nothing that made my Mom happier than an armful of wildflowers, daisies and chickory and poppies, a wonderful bouquet picked by us kids with our little hands and heart! Those days are far away now for me, but your article was a wonderful reminder of my childhood days.
Thank you!
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on June 29, 2008 at 7:32 PM:
Thanks, Goofy! (Your DG name always makes me grin.) You're right; kid-picked bouquets are the best!
:-)
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Subject: Lovely article
Posted by kniphofia (from Ashington
(United Kingdom)) on June 29, 2008 at 3:34 AM:
I pass lots of these on the roadside on my way to work every day and they are just wonderful.
I enjoyed your article very much. I think all of us have a flower that reminds us of our mothers :)
Sue
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on June 29, 2008 at 1:41 PM:
Thanks, Sue!
You're right about flowers and mothers... Roses remind me of my sweet MIL, and daisies remind me of my mom. I'm doubly blessed... not only was I raised by a garden-loving mother, I married a man whose mother approaches gardening with both passion and elegance.
:-)
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on June 29, 2008 at 2:35 PM:
Sweet article, Critter. Thanks.
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Posted by KyWoods (from Melbourne, KY) on June 29, 2008 at 4:52 PM:
I love them, too, and we have thousands of them at the edge of our woods! I like to have a bouquet of them in the house all during their blooming season.
Unfortunately, they're considered an invasive, noxious weed in every state! Before I knew that, I brought some to another DGer, and found out she could get in trouble if anyone reported her planting them! As soon as I saw that info, I called and told her to throw them away....I was so embarrassed...Sheesh...
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Posted by wind (from Mount Laurel, NJ) on June 29, 2008 at 7:02 PM:
hi Critter :) really enjoyed your article! I have a pot here of winter sown ox-eye daisies and really didn't know anything about them or where I should plant them...I'll plant them in a special spot for my mom and share your article with her about your mom :)
Happy Gardening!
~Diana
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on June 29, 2008 at 7:31 PM:
KY, I know... that's why I gave their "weed" status a passing mention and included the PF link. Regulations vary state to state, but I didn't realize any state had actually restricted their planting. It's always a good idea to look up the invasive species list for your area before planning/planting your garden. Just how "invasive" or troublesome a plant is varies a lot with location, so checking local lists and PF reports can really help.
Diana, that's really sweet... I'm glad you've got some for your garden, and I hope your mom likes them too!
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Posted by KyWoods (from Melbourne, KY) on June 29, 2008 at 8:18 PM:
Yep, you can be fined $100 per plant in Connecticut, for example.
I'm sorry, didn't mean to put a damper on such a hearwarming article. I love them, too!
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on June 29, 2008 at 8:27 PM:
Not a problem... information is always good! Thanks! :-)
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Subject: Thanks for sharing a memory
Posted by libellule (from Fountain, FL) on June 29, 2008 at 3:26 AM:
That is a lovely memory, thanks for sharing.
I, too, remember picking these as a child and as an adult, I still love them. They light up the fields.
Nice photo's too.
Jackie
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on June 29, 2008 at 1:42 PM:
"They light up the fields."
You're right! That's a wonderful image.
Thanks!
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Posted by docgipe (from NORTH CENTRAL PENNSY, PA) on June 30, 2008 at 4:23 PM:
Somehow I love them best wild and half covered up by the mixed canopy in an old fence row. Now where shall i find and old wild fence row on this day and time? Life was at its best when in one hand there was a wild strawberry and the other a fist full of daisies. Maybe sheep were eyeing the daisies and inching in for the robbery. Their noses were red with wild berry juice too.
Nice article...............can lead one anywhere down memories lane.
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on June 30, 2008 at 7:50 PM:
:-)
LOL at the image of a sheep inching forward to rob you of your daisy bouquet...
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Subject: I Agree!!!
Posted by Jax4ever (from Boxford, MA) on June 29, 2008 at 1:27 AM:
I adore Ox-eyes! I can't believe people think they are weeds. They are the first flower (only flower?) most of us drew w/ crayon as children. We drew daisies before we could write. Plus, it was always OK with Mom to pick the daisies in the field, while her roses, iris and peonies were off-limits.
I purchased Ox-eye seeds in bulk a few years ago, and scattered them liberally over my 2 acres. They aren't fussy enough to want deliberate cultivation. I let them grow and bloom where ever they chose to pop up. Today I must have spent 2 hours with my string trimmer, neatly avoiding all my daisy stands!!! It would have been much faster to mow them down but I can't :0) they are magical!
I am inspired to get some crayons...
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on June 29, 2008 at 1:33 PM:
LOL... my DH knows to always mow around the daisies, too.
"We drew daisies before we could write"
How true!
:-)
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Posted by ViolaAnn (from Ottawa, ON) on June 30, 2008 at 10:41 AM:
Same here. My garden is FULL of them. never know where they will pop up next with their perky blooms. And, as you say, easy to pull out if it's in the wrong place. I've never purchased them - just brought home fists full of the seeds from wild-flower meadows.
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Posted by Gardeningnurse (from North Manchester, IN) on June 30, 2008 at 3:09 PM:
I too love Ox-Eye Daisies and have them self-seed everywhere and even transplant. However, hasn't anyone noticed when among a large growing mound or having a large bouquet in the house the odor???? My son calls them manure daises? Sound terrible, but that is exactly what they smell like. Besides that I love them also.
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on June 30, 2008 at 7:49 PM:
You're not the first person to mention that in these responses, but honestly I've never noticed an unfortunate odor like that... and I've had a lot of daisies in the house! Maybe my mind just refuses to accept the evidence of my nose, LOL.
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Posted by Jax4ever (from Boxford, MA) on July 1, 2008 at 1:07 AM:
I've never noticed an odor, either, but that could be b/c I always have an overflowing compost pail in the kitchen!!!
Gee, why don't people come to visit me more often? ;0)
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Subject: Lovely Story for a Lovely Flower
Posted by UniQueTreasures (from Beaumont, TX) on June 29, 2008 at 1:15 AM:
What a wonderful story. I've always loved daisies but the only ones I've ever grown have been Gerber Daisies. I'll have to keep a close eye out for the Ox-eyes now. I'll think of you and your dear mother when I find them.
Thanks for sharing your special memories of them.
Janet
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Posted by Dutchlady1 (from Naples, FL) on June 29, 2008 at 6:30 AM:
Very nice; I remember these from my childhood too.
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Posted by Dea (from Frederick, MD) on June 29, 2008 at 7:56 AM:
Very nice Jill - thanks
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on June 29, 2008 at 1:35 PM:
I'm glad you enjoyed it... it's fun to share some of the things that make such an "ordinary" flower so special.
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Posted by Pamgarden (from Central, VA) on June 29, 2008 at 3:37 PM:
Oh Jill, you've touched my heart with the pictures, the descriptive writing, and most of all the heartfelt sentiment of a daughter for her mother.
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on June 29, 2008 at 7:24 PM:
Ox-Eye Daisies, or Field Daisies, are my mother's favorite flower. As a child bringing the cows back from the far pasture, she'd come home with armloads of them. I grew up knowing their cheerful faces had a special beauty. Any time I saw them, I had to pick a few - and sometimes more than a few! - to bring home to my mom. After all, they were her favorite!
Ox-Eye Daisies (
I've never understood why florists prefer bold Shasta Daisies to the wilder, more delicate charm of Ox-Eyes. 
My mother wanted Ox-Eye Daisies for her wedding bouquet, but was told that she'd have to make do with Shasta Daisies. Not that Shasta Daises aren't pretty, but they're not the flowers she picked as a child. Nonetheless, my father surprises her with a bouquet of Shasta Daisies every year on May Day as well as on their anniversary. (And after 47 years, she's always surprised.) She loves them because they remind her of "real" daisies. 
Ox-Eye Daisies are considered a weed by some (never in our family!), and I don't think I've ever seen plants for sale. However, I've transplanted a few roadside clumps, and I've 
