Shasta Daisy-Alaska is a beloved perennial daisy that has brightened gardens for generations with its crisp white petals and warm golden centers. This cultivar thrives across hardiness zones 3-9, reaching 24-36 inches tall and flowering reliably throughout the growing season. A true cut flower champion, it reaches harvestable maturity in about 75 days and returns year after year, making it a low-maintenance addition to borders, beds, and vases alike.
Full Sun
Moderate
3-9
36in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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The white petals and yellow center combination has earned this variety a loyal following among gardeners and florists for good reason: the blooms are substantial enough to command attention in bouquets, yet the plant itself is remarkably undemanding. It spreads to about 20 inches wide, so you'll need to give it room to develop its full character. The real draw is consistency; this is a perennial that actually performs reliably across a wide climate range, from cold northern gardens to warmer southern zones.
Shasta Daisy-Alaska is grown almost exclusively as a cut flower and ornamental garden plant. The bright white blooms with golden centers are prized for fresh flower arrangements, where they provide clean, cheerful color and a classic American garden aesthetic. In the garden, they work as reliable border plants and cottage garden staples.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date at temperatures between 55-70°F. Seeds can be surface-sown or lightly pressed into starter mix, as they benefit from light for germination.
Harden off seedlings gradually over 7-10 days before transplanting after all frost danger has passed. Space plants 20 inches apart in well-draining soil.
For cut flowers, harvest blooms in the morning after dew dries but before heat builds. Pick when petals have just fully opened and the yellow centers are fully exposed. Cut stems low on the plant using sharp scissors or pruners. Expect continuous flowering throughout the growing season, with peak production typically occurring about 75 days after planting.
Pinch back young plants in early summer to encourage bushier, more compact growth and increase flowering. Deadhead spent blooms regularly throughout the season to extend flowering and maintain plant energy. Cut plants back to about 6 inches in fall after frost, or leave standing for winter interest and cut back in early spring as new growth emerges.
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“Shasta Daisy-Alaska represents generations of gardening tradition. This classic variety has been cherished long enough that it's become woven into the fabric of perennial borders across North America. While the exact breeding origins aren't documented in the source data, its endurance in cultivation and continued prominence in seed catalogs speak to its proven garden worth and the gardeners who kept selecting and saving it through the decades.”