Hours of Daylight Required for a Leucanthemum X Superbum Crazy Daisy

Lighting the Way for Blooms

• For maximum flowering, "Crazy Daisy" prefers as much light as your garden can give. The plant performs best when it receives full sun. At the very minimum, that means six hours of direct sun on the plant each day. For "Crazy Daisy" to excel, the more sun, the better. Plant health improves and blooms increase the more direct sun it receives. In areas with very hot summer suns, some light shade can be tolerated as long as the minimum sun is met. The 2.5-inch blooms begin in late spring and continue through the summer. Peak bloom follows about three to four weeks after the first blooms and continues profusely in sunny gardens for several weeks.

Considering Sun and Shade

• To understand "Crazy Daisy" culture, examine sun and shade. Sunshine affects more than just light levels. It impacts moisture and temperature levels of air and soil. Sunny gardens are lighter, warmer and less humid than shaded areas. All these factors interweave to influence plant health and growth. For sun-loving plants such as "Crazy Daisy," imagine open meadows they might call home. With nothing to block sunlight, full sun means all day long. In garden settings, buildings and other plants often block direct sun at various times of the day and year. Intense, early-afternoon rays can compensate for some limited time in shade.

Balancing Sun, Soil and Water

• Thriving in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9, "Crazy Daisy" can be short-lived even with correct cultural conditions. Plant in full sun to keep the proper balance between water, soil and light. "Crazy Daisy" demands well-drained soil, tolerates drought and prefers water-wise plantings where dry soil prevails. Never plant "Crazy Daisy" where water accumulates. It does not tolerate wet or poorly drained soils any time of year, but winter is especially hard. "Crazy Daisy" holds up well to the cold but succumbs to winter moisture. Wet winter soils often result in the plant's death.

Making It Through to Summer Sun

• To prepare for winter, help "Crazy Daisy" direct energy where it needs it most. Prolific summer blooming saps its strength; it declines once blooming ends. Remove spent blooms and stems down to the foliage to redirect energy. This forces growth of leaves and roots instead of seed. Heavy winter mulch traps moisture, blocks sun and leads to rot. A light covering of leaves, applied after ground has frozen, protects the plant yet still allows it to breathe. Divide "Crazy Daisy" in autumn every few years to keep the plant robust and extend its life. It also helps ensure you'll have "Crazy Daisy" blooms around to soak up the summer sun.