What Is the Proper Method to Cut-Back Shasta Daisies?

Pinch

• Cut back young Shasta daisies by trimming or pinching off early spring buds. Nip the first buds down to the foliage. This encourages more dense foliage for the growing season. As the Shasta grows up to 3 feet tall, sturdy foliage is important for the tall plant. If spring plants grow leggy and shaggy, shear off a third of the plant to boost foliage growth. The thick foliage provides landscape greenery before and after flowering. Stake tall flowers for bloom and stem support.

Deadhead

• Deadheading is removal of old flower heads. Use scissors or shears for clean cuts. At the first flowering, cut off spent flowers just below the flower head and above the lower flower buds. This diverts plant energy from old blossoms to new flowers and foliage. When the last flower blooms on a stem, cut the stem off down to the foliage. Shasta daisies are excellent cut flowers that last several days. Cut flowers and deadhead at the same time by cutting flowers at the base, trimming off excess foliage and buds from the bouquet flower.

Prune

• The primary cut-back is after flowering. Shasta daisies finish flowering in summer. The foliage continues to grow, as the plant is storing energy by feeding the roots. When the daisies look fatigued or tired, with drooping foliage and wilting stems, cut them back by a third or more. Remove any dead or faded foliage. Shear foliage back to the basal or lower foliage. Add fertilizer such as a balanced water-soluble fertilizer and water well. If this cut-back is done in late summer and weather is mild, Shasta daisies often bounce back with new foliage and late-season blooms. Rejuvenate old plants by cutting off foliage to the base.

Propagation

• When Shasta daisies are mature, they overgrow as dense clumps. Center foliage looks tired or dead. Dig up the plants in winter or early spring and divide them into smaller clumps. Cut back the foliage, as this forces energy into root development. As these are perennials, prepare the planting area by working organic material or compost into the soil. Perennials feed for several seasons and, though fertilizer can be top-dressed, roots benefit from organic matter already mixed into their growing zone. Plant the Shasta in full sun, fertilize lightly and water in the fertilizer. Pinch off or cut back the first buds to encourage healthy foliage and root development.