Yellow daisies, short and tall

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It was the late Christopher Lloyd who penned the phrase “knee deep in daisies.” He was referring to late summer in the garden when members of the daisy family seem to predominate in the borders. But there a couple of yellow daisies that are flowering now, and will continue to do so for a few weeks if regularly deadheaded,

Buphthalmum salicifolium (what a mouthful of a name) grows about two feet tall. The small flowers are carried on stiff stems so no support is needed, and spent flowers are easily nipped off between finger and thumb. It likes a fairly well drained soil in full sun but is otherwise undemanding. Not showy or spectacular, but a reliable stalwart.

While you may miss the buphthalmum, silphium perfoliatum is less easy to overlook, if only because it grows seven feet tall. The flowers are not huge, and the foliage is a bit coarse, but as a back-of-the-border plant it is hard to beat. With all that superstructure to support, it needs a moist soil, preferably in light shade. It also needs support and does best in a sheltered position, away from damaging winds.

Neither of these plant will stop you in their tracks, but for tough, reliable performers, they are worth their place in my garden.

• 4 Aug, 2015
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