Leucanthemum superbum Snehurka - Shasta Daisy

The Leucanthemum × superbum ‘Sněhurka’ is a stocky variety of daisy bearing semi-double to double white heads whose narrow, irregular ligules surround a clearly visible yellow disc. Its flowers appear tousled, yet retain the familiar daisy shape. Its compact habit is particularly suited to borders, front of flower beds and containers. Its summer flowering is renewed over several weeks if spent flowers are deadheaded regularly.

This perennial belongs to the Asteraceae family. Leucanthemum × superbum is a horticultural hybrid derived from the species Leucanthemum lacustre, L. maximum and L. vulgare. 'Sněhurka' was created by Czech gardener Václav Bláha. Among the daisies he produced, this variety is the only one still commonly grown. It differs from typical forms by its low-growing vegetation and its more densely flowered heads. The plant forms a compact clump of 40 to 50 cm in height when in flower and about 30 to 40 cm in width. Its growth is moderately fast and its stump gradually thickens. The flower stems are upright, little branched and short enough to require no staking in most gardens. Each bears a head approximately 8 cm in diameter. What is commonly called the flower is actually an inflorescence (the head) composed of many small flowers. The white ligules arranged in several rows form the peripheral part. They are narrow, irregular and slightly notched at the tips. The central disc remains visible and comprises very small yellow tubular flowers. Flowering occurs mainly from July to September. The foliage first forms a rosette close to the ground, then fills the base of the stems. The leaves are lanceolate, dark green and edged with irregular teeth. The aerial vegetation dies back in autumn, but a few basal leaves may persist if the winter is mild. The stump regrows in spring. Like many large garden daisies, this variety will be more vigorous if divided every two or three years. Its Czech name, 'Sněhurka', means 'Snow White' and refers to the white colour of its heads.

This daisy ‘Sněhurka’ can be planted along a path or occupy the front of a sunny border, in fertile soil that remains moist during the summer. A few clumps scattered among taller perennials avoid an unnatural aligned effect. Behind this daisy, you can plant the Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Goldschleier’, the Sanguisorba officinalis ‘Tanna’  for its small burgundy spikes and the Phlox paniculata ‘Blue Paradise’ for its clusters of blue-mauve flowers. The Helenium ‘Sahin’s Early Flowerer’ enriches the scene with very warm yellow, orange and copper tones from July.