English Daisy

About

English daisy is a small European daisy, often planted in gardens, that escapes into lawns in cool, damp climates. It grows in flat rosettes that spread into clumps.

Also called lawn daisy, true daisy, bruisewort

How to identify it

Look for

Leaves grow in a low rosette and are spoon-shaped, broad at the tip, softly hairy and smooth or finely scalloped along the edges. Small daisy flowers with white, pink or red rays around a yellow center sit singly on leafless, hairy stalks. The crown spreads outward through short underground stems.

Where it grows

Moist lawns in cool, mild coastal climates, especially the Pacific Northwest and coastal California.

When

It blooms from about March to September.

How it spreads

Seeds, plus short creeping underground stems that widen each clump.

Most common in

What to do, gentlest first

Start at the top. Weed killers are a last step; always read and follow the label.

1. Keep the lawn on the dry side Prevent

   Water less often where it's a problem and keep the turf well maintained.

2. Dig out the crowns By hand

   Carefully dig each clump with its crown and underground stems; in beds, hoeing or tilling removes it.

   Digging can bring buried weed seeds to the surface.

3. Vinegar on small plants Organic spray

   Horticultural vinegar can kill small plants; bigger clumps usually regrow.

   Strong vinegar (over about 11% acetic acid) can burn skin and eyes, so wear gloves and eye protection. It browns any leaves it touches, grass included.

4. Triclopyr, repeated Conventional spray

   In lawns, triclopyr is the main option and penoxsulam can suppress it; plan on more than one application. In beds, glyphosate works only as a careful spot treatment.

   Read and follow the label. Many lawn weed killers also harm vegetables, flowers and shrubs, so don't let spray drift into beds, and keep dicamba products off the root zones of trees and shrubs.

Uses, wildlife and pets

For wildlife

Its flowers give nectar to butterflies and other pollinators.

Pets

Not listed by the ASPCA (its 'daisy' entry is chrysanthemum, a different plant that is toxic to dogs and cats). NC State lists English daisy itself as able to cause vomiting and diarrhea if eaten.