Just when you thought you knew all about shasta daisies, along comes a new one that’s different and more beautiful than ever. As if that wasn’t enough to tempt you, ‘Aglaia’ is also exceptionally free flowering, often continuing in bloom for months in summer.
What makes ‘Aglaia’ such a stunning shasta is the frilly, some would even say shaggy, flowers which measure 7.5 to 10 centimetres across. Combine these with the tall (up to 60 centimetres) stems and glossy green foliage and you realise why this low maintenance perennial has become one of the top sellers in the northern hemisphere in the last few years.
In beds and borders, among other perennials, low shrubs and annuals, it provides a fresh look that makes you pause, and smile, every time you pass by. The flowers are good for the vase too, ideal for brightening the home or office. Picking the flowers, either fresh or as soon as they finish, is a good idea as this encourages even more new flowers to be produced.
Shasta ‘Aglaia’ is very easy to grow. An undemanding, cold hardy plant, it will thrive in any reasonable soil. One thing that is essential is lots of sunshine.
You can’t go wrong with placing this beauty in the garden, for it combines superbly with all sorts of flowers and foliage. It’s fun to plant it among lower growing perennials or to contrast it with other tall stemmed flowers. With lavenders it’s a delight, as it is among low flowers such as Saxifraga ‘Starblush’ and blue flowered Geranium ‘Rozanne’. For a spectacular bit of contrast planting, group several of Shasta ‘Aglaia’ with two or three Gazania ‘Takatu Red’. See if anyone can walk past that without stopping!
Try it with foliage plants too, such as Euphorbia ‘Silver Swan’ or crinkly edged Ajania pacifica.
A group of white and pale yellow flowers can be most attractive. If this appeals, plant Shasta ‘Aglaia’ with daylilies such as ‘Sunday Gloves’ (white) and ‘Stella Bella’ (yellow), Dahlia ‘Knockout’ (yellow) and Marguerite ‘Summer Lustre’ (white).
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Schemes & Themes
using Liddle Wonder Plants