[Rachael]

Hi all,
Are these daisies? I've always called them that but not sure if they are. And would they be considered a shrub or a perennial? I was not sure which section to put this post in, so that's why I'm asking

Now, I have a question about them. They flower continuously, particularly the pink one, which has been flowering in abundance since I bought it, despite the lack of fertilizing on my part. My problem is that they have got quite woody and bare looking, partly, I suspect, in response to regular drying out. I have a balcony garden which I am quite happy with but, I confess, I can be a bit inconsistent with the attention I pay it.
My question is, if I were to prune off some or most of the buds, would it save energy for leaf growing, would it be encouraged? If I were to do this, would now be a good time of year?

Warm regards,
Rachael
PS, to all in Dublin, wasn't that a lovely Spring day, finally



PPS, woops sorry, the pics look a bit big.

[verge]

They should be ok. Our webmaster is working on installing a piece of code which will automatically resize all images which are too large, so this will sort the size soon. No problems.

[birdie]

Hello Rachael. I think they are a daisy called the shasta daisy. They look a bit leggy alright but I think if you cut back now you will miss the flowers for this summer.
I'd say you should give them a general purpose liquid feed every two weeks then Cut the stems to a n inch or so above soil level when they are finished blooming.
Hope they do ok for you.

[Rachael]

Hey birdie,
Thanks for that, I definitely think I should fertlize more. My only problem with your cutting back suggestion is that they actually flower in abundance all year round! Obviously they slow a little during winter, but not by much.

My thoughts were to cut off some of the flower buds, like dead heading but before they've bloomed. Although I think I'll go for the drastic measure next winter (can anyone pinpoint a good month for this as they don't stop flowering?) to give it a real go for next summer. But I was wondering if my idea above might work a bit in the meantime?

Thanks again birdie

Warm regards,
Rachael

[Sive]

Hi there, I don't think these are Shasta daisies, they look more like Argyranthemums. I cut them back when they get leggy, but it may be a little late to do that now......on the other hand, if you did it this late, you would probably just have to wait a little longer before you got a good display of flowers.
Beautiful day in Wexford too, it feels as if summer is round the corner!

[verge]

[Rachael]

Hi Sive and Verge,
Thanks for that, I'm gonna wait til Winter and cut them back but in the meantime I'll give them lots of fertilizer.
Warm regards,
Rachael