Wedding Daisies for August in Vermont: Gerbera & Potted Options

A Vermont (Zone 4–5) bride wanted white daisies for late July 2009 wedding. Shasta daisies bloom too early. Gerbera from seed won't bloom first year.

The Hard Truth

• Perennial daisies (Shasta, oxeye): Bloom June–July. Done by August.
• Gerbera (Transvaal daisy): Tender perennial (Zone 8+). From seed: blooms year 2. In VT: annual.
• Annual daisies: None reliably bloom late July from spring sowing in VT.

Practical Solutions

1. Buy potted daisies: Local nursery/greenhouse can grow 'Becky' Shasta or other late cultivars in pots for late bloom. Order now.
2. Florist/wholesale: Order cut stems (Shasta, Gerbera, Marguerite) for arrangements.
3. Alternative "daisy" flowers for August:
   • Boltonia (false aster) – white, late summer.
   • Japanese anemone 'Honorine Jobert' – white, Aug–Oct.
   • White coneflower (Echinacea 'White Swan') – July–Sept.
   • White phlox 'David' – July–Sept.
4. Potted Gerbera: Buy blooming plants in July. Keep watered, deadheaded. They'll last through wedding.

Wisdom

Don't add "grow wedding flowers" to your planning load. Pay a pro. Time = money. Enjoy your day.

Buy potted plants in July. Focus on the marriage, not the marguerites.