Collection: Asteraceae - Daisy Seeds

The Asteraceae Family: A Garden of Stars

The Asteraceae family, also known as the daisy or sunflower family, is one of the largest and most diverse plant families in the world. With over 23,000 species, this botanical group offers gardeners an incredible array of colors, forms, and growing habits—all sharing the characteristic composite flower structure that makes them instantly recognizable yet endlessly varied.  While it is comprised mostly of ornamental flowers, it also contains edible flowers and vegetables such as Chickory.

Understanding the Asteraceae

What we commonly call a "daisy flower" is actually a complex flower head made up of many tiny flowers working together. The outer "petals" are ray florets, while the center disk contains numerous tubular disc florets. This ingenious design is shared across the entire family, from towering sunflowers to cheerful rudbeckias, delicate asters, and classic daisies.    

Growing Your Asteraceae (Daisy) Garden

The beauty of cultivating plants from the Asteraceae family lies in their diversity and adaptability. Whether you're drawn to the classic elegance of traditional daisies, the cheerful disposition of rudbeckias, the late-season charm of asters, or the bold statement of sunflowers, there's an Asteraceae member suited to every garden style, climate, and growing condition.

Common Varieties of Asteraceae (Daisy) Flowers

Explore some of the most common types of Asteraceae that will bring beautiful color and charm to your garden. 

Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum)

The Shasta daisy represents the quintessential daisy form with its large, pristine white petals radiating from a bright yellow center. This classic perennial is beloved for its resilience and ability to thrive in various climates, making it a garden staple.

Shasta daisies prefer full sun but tolerate partial shade. They thrive in well-draining soil and can grow up to 3 feet tall, making them perfect for borders, cut flower gardens, and attracting pollinators throughout the growing season.

African Daisy (Osteospermum spp.)

African daisies showcase the family's incredible color diversity with vibrant, jewel-toned petals in shades of purple, pink, orange, and blue. Native to South Africa, these stunning annuals are both eye-catching and drought-tolerant, making them excellent choices for xeriscaping and water-wise gardens.

These sun-lovers thrive in well-drained soil and excel in rock gardens, containers, or as ground cover. Regular deadheading encourages continuous blooming throughout the growing season.

English Daisy (Bellis perennis)

The petite English daisy offers a charming, diminutive presence with delicate white or pink petals and yellow centers. This perennial native to Europe brings old-world cottage garden charm to any landscape and can even serve as a resilient ground cover.

English daisies prefer cool, moist conditions and partial shade. They adapt to various soil types and can tolerate light foot traffic, making them ideal for creating traditional, romantic garden spaces.

Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan)

Rudbeckia hirta, commonly known as Black-Eyed Susan, is a beloved North American native wildflower with sunny yellow petals and distinctive dark brown or black centers. These cheerful plants attract beneficial pollinators and birds while providing long-lasting color.

Plant Rudbeckia in full sun or partial shade in well-drained soil. Once established, these drought-tolerant perennials reach 2 to 3 feet tall and excel in naturalized areas, meadows, or as dramatic backdrops in flower borders.

Asters

Asters are quintessential members of the Asteraceae family, offering vibrant, petal-packed blooms in shades of purple, pink, and white. As late-season bloomers, these perennials provide crucial color and nectar when many other flowers are fading, making them invaluable for pollinators preparing for winter.

Thriving in full sun and well-drained soil, asters range from compact varieties suitable for containers to tall specimens reaching 3 to 4 feet. They're essential additions to any pollinator-friendly landscape, attracting butterflies and bees throughout autumn.

Sunflowers (Helianthus spp.)

No discussion of the Asteraceae family would be complete without sunflowers, perhaps the most iconic members of this botanical group. From towering giants to compact varieties, sunflowers embody the family's characteristic structure on a grand scale, with their large composite flower heads following the sun across the sky.

By selecting seeds from across this remarkable plant family and providing appropriate care, you can create a dynamic, season-long display that offers continuous blooms, attracts beneficial wildlife, and celebrates one of nature's most successful and beautiful botanical families. From spring through fall, your Asteraceae garden will brighten your outdoor space and delight visitors for years to come.