Knowledgebase

Daisy maintenance #814932

Asked October 22, 2022, 4:36 PM EDT

We just moved into a new home that has been vacant for more than a year. The yard has tons of flowers but they have not been maintained. Can/should these daisies be pruned? If so how much and when? Thanks!

Chittenden County Vermont

Expert Response

Hi, Donna.  What lovely flowers for this time of year!  I was unfamiliar with these daisies, but with a little research done, I believe they are Nippon daisies, also known as Montauk daisies.  They bloom in late summer and fall, later than many other flowers.  Here is some basic info from https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/nipponanthemum-nipponicum/:
"Nipponanthemum nipponicum, common names "Nippon daisy" or "Montauk daisy," is a plant species native to coastal regions of Japan but cultivated as an ornamental in other regions....New growth may be cut back slightly in spring to maintain plant compactness and encourage bushy form. Remove spent flower heads to promote additional bloom. Divide clumps every 2-3 years to maintain vigor. Excellent and long-lasting fresh cut flower.....Nippon daisies tend to lose their lower leaves, so it is helpful to plant smaller perennials in front to cover up their leafless lower stems. Great for mid-borders in a drought tolerate garden." 


Another website gives more advice on pruning:  "The trickiest part of growing Montauk daisy is pruning. Plants have a tendency to flop if left unpruned for the entire growing season. You’ll make the most of the fall flower show by pruning faithfully in spring through midsummer. For a strong fall bloom, prune plants to about 6 inches tall in early spring, with a second strong pruning in July. Some gardeners mow established plant colonies twice prior to July 4. Other gardeners combine regular pinching until July 4 with division every three years.

If you don’t pinch at all or prune just once, plants flower throughout summer. They also grow taller and bottom leaves yellow and drop prior to the main flower show in fall. If this is your garden strategy, skirt plants with another plant that helps hide the bare lower stems. Dusty miller can hold its own into fall, as can shorter ornamental grasses."

I hope this is helpful.  I'd love to have some blooming at my house right now!

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