Leucanthemum vulgare

Leucanthemum vulgare

A member of the Asteraceae family, this pretty little plant (ht 30 cm) - sometimes called the ox-eye daisy - grows as a clump-forming perennial, and blooms in spring and early summer. Its bright white flowers are like minature Shasta daisies and it is possible that the ox-eye daisy was used in the breeding of those larger plants. It likes reasonable, well-drained soil in full sun and can grow over a variety of climactic zones, from cold to semi-tropical areas. The leaves form a tight clump, which can be propagated by division. It may self-seed. It is often seen as a wildflower meadow plant in England. It is attractive to beneficial insects, including hoverflies. A spring annual plant called Leucanthemum paludosum (ht 25 cm) has a very similar bloom.