FlowerDaisy
Alaska Shasta Daisy
Shasta Daisy
Alaska Shasta Daisy brings summer's most recognizable bloom into gardens across zones 4 to 10, with classic white petals radiating from golden centers on sturdy 24- to 36-inch stems. This perennial cultivar reaches full maturity in its second year, rewarding patient gardeners with abundant 4-inch flowers that rival those found in commercial floral shops. Thriving in full sun and tolerant of both Leaf Spot and Verticillium Wilt, Alaska stands as a dependable choice for borders, walkways, and cutting gardens where its timeless charm returns year after year.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
4-10
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam; Tolerates Poor Soil
Preferred Temp60-75°F
Growth Stats
36 in
Height
24 in
Width
24 in
Spacing
2–2
Days to Harvest
PeriodPerennial
TypeForb/herb
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
4-10
Size
36in H x 24in W
Growth
Perennial
Care
High
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Highlights
These are the white-petaled daisies that define summer, bursting into bloom with the kind of cheerful abundance that makes cutting arrangements almost irresistible. The flowers reach a substantial 4 inches across, far larger than wild daisy cousins, and they emerge on upright plants that are equally at home lining a fence, anchoring a cutting bed, or brightening a patio planter. What truly sets Alaska apart is its proven resilience; it shrugs off two common daisy diseases and returns reliably through multiple growing seasons, even in colder northern gardens.
Common Uses
Alaska Shasta Daisy is grown primarily as an ornamental flower for garden displays and cut-flower arrangements. The large white blooms are prized by home gardeners for lining flower beds, borders, and walkways, and they're valued as a floral shop favorite for indoor arrangements. Their reliable size and classic appearance make them a staple for anyone seeking that archetypal American daisy in their garden.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Early Summer
First Harvest
Not Applicable
Last Harvest
Not Applicable
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your average last frost date, then transplant seedlings outdoors after hardening off. Seeds should be sown on the soil surface without being covered, as light aids germination.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant seedlings outdoors 6 to 8 weeks before your average last frost date. Space plants 24 inches apart within rows, maintaining 48 inches between rows for mature plant development.
Direct Sow
Sow seeds directly outdoors 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date. You can also sow as late as 2 months before your average first fall frost date. Sow seeds on the soil surface without covering them.
Pruning
Remove spent flowers regularly to encourage continued blooming throughout the season. Cut stems back in fall or early spring to maintain the upright growth habit and promote fresh growth from the base in the following season.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Scientific Classification
Leucanthemum ×superbum (Bergmans ex J.W. Ingram) Bergmans ex Kent.
Family
Asteraceae
Genus
Leucanthemum
Duration
Perennial
Growth Habit
Upright
Native Status
L48 (I)