Leucanthemum vulgare

Leucanthemum vulgare is none other than the common daisy of our countryside, as we have loved it for centuries and which still blooms in old neglected gardens. This perennial plant resembles a large daisy and blooms in late spring. With its simple, white flowers with yellow centres, it forms a dense display of stems and dark leaves that dance in the wind, animated by the flight of pollinating insects. Almost fall proof, it settles in and takes care of itself in sunny flowerbeds where it sometimes self-seeds. Its flowers are beautiful in country bouquets.

The genus Leucanthemum belongs to the Asteraceae family. Leucanthemum vulgare, sometimes called the ox-eye daisy, is a rhizomatous perennial plant native to a vast area ranging from Western Europe to Siberia. It is therefore a very resistant plant, perfectly hardy and capable of adapting to various climates. It quickly forms a bushy clump, as tall as it is wide, measuring approximately 50 cm (20in) in all directions. A large basal rosette emerges, followed by an opulent tuft consisting of numerous leafy, deciduous stems. Flowers appear from late May to mid-July, provided that faded flowers are regularly removed and the soil remains moist. It takes the form of solitary heads with an average diameter of 6 cm (2in), with thin and flat white petals arranged in a single crown around a golden yellow centre. The basal leaves are long spatulate, dark green, and simple. They are lanceolate with a regularly dentate edge.

 
This daisy, suitable for making bouquets, is a plant for rustic flowerbeds or natural gardens. It thrives with almost no maintenance in flower meadows beneath fruit trees or at the back of the garden, alongside other wildflowers such as poppies, meadow sage Salvia pratensis, wild chicory, or tall thistles Eryngium and Cynara. While we are not talking about extravagant colours here,  the constancy, robustness, and floribundity of these "simple" flowers will bring real structure to low flowerbeds, borders, and even fresh rockeries. Pair its flowering with that of echinaceas, mix it with asters, perennial flax, autumn daisies, peonies, delphiniums, wallflowers or bellflowers. Enjoy this flower in the garden or in a vase in the house as a charming and simple bouquet.