“He loves me, he loves me not” or “she loves me….” we all remember this childhood nursery rhyme and maybe we have played it ourselves. Usually the game (originated in France) is played with an Ox-eye Daisy or Marguerite Daisy as the petals were picked off the flower until we were left with the flower center and then we had the answer about our true love. The largest version of this game was played in Milan, Italy in 2009 with 331 participants.
The Daisy is the birth flower for the month of Apri and the name “Daisy” is the official nickname for Margaret or the French, Marguerite. The name “Daisy” has been around for a long time and there are some very famous “Daisys” in history. In literature perhaps you read about Daisy Buchanan from the “Great Gatsby”. There is always Daisy Duck, the girlfriend to Disney’s Donald Duck or Daisy Mae Scagg in the 1940s Li’l Abner Comicstrip. How About the character of Daisy Wertham that earned Jessica Tandy the Oscar in the movie “Driving Miss Daisy”. Did you own a pair of short Shorts like Daisy Duke from “The Dukes of Hazzard”? There is the song Daisy, Daisy give your answer do as you rode a “Bicycle Built for Two” or maybe you know the more current 1990 Rock Band “Tripping Daisy”. Daisy, the cow, started the Great Chicago Fire in 1871 and Daisy was the nickname for Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of Girl Scouts and it is also the name for the first level of Girl Scouting for Kindergarten and First Graders.
Common Name
Daisy flowers are part of the Asteraceae family and they include Asters, Chrysanthemums, Daisies, Dandelions, Marigolds and Sunflowers. There are over 32,000 different species cataloged in this flower family and can be found on every continent with the exception of Antarctica. The Daisy flower is actually two flowers in one or a composite flower. The center flower or center disc has many florets and then the outer ray florets are commonly known as the petals. Gerbera daisies, known for their bright colors originated in Africa and have become one of the most popular cut flowers. These sun loving perennials can also be grown in almost any outdoor setting as a very adaptive annual.
Origins of the Flower
The origin story is from Roman mythology where the forest nymph Belides danced with the other nymphs in the forest and caught the eye of Vertumnus, the God of the orchard. To escape his unwanted attention, she transformed into the flower Bellis, which is also known as the botanical name for Daisy. We have also found evidence that they have been around since Egyptian times. They were used to treat illnesses, for inflammation in the liver and kidneys as well as in tea to help coughs and bronchitis. Daisies are edible and can be put in salads, used as an ingredient in soups, pickled like capers or made into wine. Studies have shown that it can improve circulation and has a high level of vitamin C.
Their name derives from “Day’s Eyes” as the flower will open when the sun rises and close when it sets. It’s the perfect flower to make a “Daisy Chain” by interlocking the flower head and stem and it makes a beautiful hair crown or wreath for a child or bride. Daisies have long been associated with the Virgin Mary in the Christian tradition and they are the symbol of Innocence and humility. In one Celtic legend God would sprinkle Daisies over the earth when a parent loses a child.
Looking for Local Blooms
In our area, Shasta Daisies are very popular and can be found at most garden centers. They can be planted in the Spring or Fall and will set their blooms for the summer and will continue to bloom for 2-3 months. With the many different shades and hues it’s no surprise that they are a favorite flower for pollinators as they produce very high pollen.
The Pollinator Preservation Garden at Ghiloni Park in Marlborough will be a new addition this Spring to aid the declining native bees in the area. If you are looking to bring some of the bright colored Gerbera Daisy into your home, visit the Floral Gallery for either a “Gerbera Splash” arrangement or a bouquet of “Fresh Cuts.”
Tags: Flower of the Month, Local Blooms
