Is There a Petunia Daisy?

Petunias

• Petunias grow in Grandiflora, Multiflora, Milliflora and ground cover varieties, in reds, pinks, oranges, yellows, whites and purples. Heights range from 6 to 15 inches, depending on cultivar and growing conditions, and blooms are single- or double-petaled, with open faces.

Daisies

• Daises bear their bright, open flowers on single tall stalks, rather than in bunches. They grow in both annual and perennial varieties, with Shasta, Gerber, African, Giant and Prairie daisies making up some of the most common families. Daisies bear open-faced, many-petaled blooms in reds, yellows, whites, pinks and oranges, on 3- to 4-inch stems.

Growing Season

• Petunias and daisies both require spring plantings and summer growing seasons. While some daisies grow as perennials, most daisies and all petunias grow as annuals and fail in the first frost of fall. Grow them year-round in outdoor gardens only in U.S. Department of Agriculture growing zones 10 and 11.

Site, Soil, Care

• Plant both daisies and petunias in full sun with quick soil drainage. Both plants do well in outdoor beds, borders and containers. Use rich, organic soils with organic compost, rotted manure and peat moss amendments to give the plants nutrition and moisture. Add 5-10-5 granular fertilizer to the soil before planting annuals such as daisies and petunias. Water these flowers with at least 2 inches of water every week and use organic mulch through the beds to keep the soil moist and warm.