About Bellis perennis L.
Bellis perennis L. is a perennial herbaceous plant that reaches up to 20 centimeters (8 inches) in height. It produces short creeping rhizomes and rosettes of small leaves, which are rounded or spoon-shaped, measure 2 to 5 cm (3⁄4–2 in) long, and grow flat against the ground. This species commonly colonizes lawns, and is hard to eradicate through mowing, which is how it earned the common name 'lawn daisy'. It blooms from March to September and displays heliotropism, meaning its flowers follow the sun’s changing position in the sky. Its flower heads are composite pseudanthia around 2 to 3 cm (3⁄4–1+1⁄4 in) in diameter, made up of many sessile flowers: white ray florets, often tipped red, and yellow disc florets. Each inflorescence grows on a single leafless stem 2 to 10 cm (3⁄4–4 in) tall, rarely reaching 15 cm (6 in). The capitulum, or disc of florets, is surrounded by two rows of green bracts called phyllaries, and its achenes have no pappus. Bellis perennis is native to western, central, and northern Europe, including remote islands like the Faroe Islands, but has become widely naturalized across most temperate regions, including the Americas and Australasia. It favors field-like habitats. In cultivation, this species generally blooms from early to midsummer. When grown in ideal conditions, it has a very long flowering season, and can even produce a small number of flowers in the middle of mild winters. It can typically be grown in areas where minimum temperatures stay above −35 °C (−30 °F), tolerates full sun to partial shade, and requires little to no maintenance. It has no known serious insect or disease issues, and grows well in most well-drained soils. The plant can be propagated by seed planted after the last frost, or by division done after flowering. Though it is not native to the United States, it is considered a valuable ground cover for certain garden settings, such as English or cottage-style gardens and spring meadows, where low growth, subtle color, and minimal maintenance are desired. Once established and naturalized, it also helps crowd out noxious weeds. Numerous single-flowered and double-flowered varieties are in cultivation, producing flat or spherical blooms in a range of sizes from 1 to 6 cm (3⁄8 to 2+3⁄8 in) and colors including red, pink, and white. These cultivated varieties are generally grown from seed as biennial bedding plants, and can also be purchased as plugs in spring. Bellis perennis is reported to be mostly self-fertilizing, though some individual plants may be self-sterile. For uses, Bellis perennis can be used as a potherb. Young leaves may be eaten raw in salads or cooked, but leaves grow more astringent as they age. Flower buds and petals can be eaten raw in sandwiches, soups, and salads. It is also used to make tea, and sold as a vitamin supplement. B. perennis has astringent properties, and has been used in herbal medicine. Daisies of this species have also traditionally been used to make daisy chains for children's games.
