Plants of the genus Bellis are more commonly known as Daisies – however, the varieties of Bellis available have larger flowers in a range of compact, striking colours far removed from the common ‘Lawn Daisy’ which are so familiar. We’ve put together this easy guide all about how to grow and care for your Bellis plants.
What are bellis flowers?
Bellis flowers are a cheerful addition to the garden and will brighten up any garden with their colourful displays. They are often used as ground cover, or at the front of a border as their foliage is as glossy and attractive as the flower itself. Their colours range from red to white to pink and multi-coloured flowers.
When is the best time to plant a bellis plant?
For Spring flowering, you should plant your Bellis plug plants from late August to mid-September, depending on the size of the plants acquired.
How and where to plant bellis
We recommend growing your Bellis plants indoors until they reach 8 to 10cm in height at which point, they’ll be ready to plant outdoors.
Bellis plants can cope with partial shade, but ideally, you should aim to position in an area with full sunlight. Bellis aren’t too fussy with their soil conditions but avoid heavily clay-based soils.
When planting outdoors, dig an individual hole for each plant – the hole should be deep enough to cover the roots, but not any of the exposed stems. Gently firm into the ground and water in. Keep watering throughout the season and feed weekly for the best results.
For container planting, fill the container up to three quarters with multipurpose compost. Carefully remove the plant from the tray or pot and place it in position. Fill the container back in with soil and gently firm down. Water in generously. Leave a space of 10 cm between plants when planting into a bed.
Good to know: Extreme heat will cause the plants to suffer and flower less.
When do bellis flower?
As the weather gets warmer, the Bellis will flower from late winter right through to summer – and even on into autumn. To prolong the flowering period, we recommend deadheading regularly.
By making sure you get rid of the dead flowers, not only keeps the Bellis looking attractive, but will also encourage more blooms no matter where you have decided to plant them.
Bellis plant care
Generally speaking, Bellis are easy to grow and when cared for properly will keep flowering throughout the season. They are typically pest and disease-free but wash off any aphids which appear with a carefully aimed jet of water. If an infestation of aphids does occur, use insecticidal soap to treat the problem.
Ready to create your own colourful Bellis now and put your new knowledge to the test? Take a look at our Bellis varieties.