Ox-eye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare 'Maikonigin') is a European native that has become the quintessential wildflower across North American meadows, fields, and roadsides. Growing 12 to 36 inches tall and equally wide, this rhizomatous perennial produces cheerful white flowers with bright yellow centers from May through September, peaking in mid-spring to early summer. Hardy from zones 3 to 9, it thrives in full sun with moderate water and asks almost nothing in return, drought tolerance, deer resistance, and disease resilience make it a genuinely low-maintenance addition to any garden. The flowers are exceptional as fresh cuts, lasting long in the vase while attracting butterflies and birds throughout the growing season.
18
Full Sun
Moderate
3-9
30in H x 18in W
—
High
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White daisy flowers with golden centers bloom prolifically across five months, from late spring straight through late summer. This variety spreads steadily by rhizomes to naturalize large areas, yet remains easy to divide and control every two to three years. Exceptionally tough, it handles drought, clay soil, shallow rocky ground, and poor soil without complaint, yet it produces abundant blooms year after year with virtually no pest or disease pressure.
Ox-eye daisy excels at naturalizing meadows, roadsides, and wild gardens where it can spread freely and create waves of white flowers. The blooms are prized for fresh flower arrangements, they're long-lasting in the vase and bring cheerful cottage-garden charm to kitchen tables. Beyond the vase, this plant anchors pollinator gardens, drawing butterflies and birds throughout summer, and it softens the edges of ornamental beds with its simple, honest beauty.
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Cut flowers for the vase when the blooms are fully open, grasping stems at the base and using clean, sharp scissors or secateurs. These flowers last exceptionally well in water, making them reliable for fresh arrangements. Cut early in the morning for longest vase life.
Remove spent flower heads throughout the blooming season to promote additional bloom and extend flowering into fall. After flowering ends, cut stems back to the basal leaves to maintain a neat appearance and prepare the plant for the next season. Divide clumps every two to three years in spring or fall to rejuvenate vigor and prevent the plant from becoming too congested.
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“Leucanthemum vulgare is native to Europe and has naturalized so thoroughly across North America that many gardeners assume it's indigenous. The 'Maikonigin' or May Queen cultivar represents gardeners' efforts to select and name the most desirable forms of this species, though seed sold under the May Queen name sometimes represents the species itself rather than a true cultivar. The plant's spread across North America happened organically through pastureland and roadsides, where it became so common it's considered both a cherished wildflower and, in some contexts, a weedy volunteer.”