Daisy Christine Hagemann

The Daisy likes a "happy medium." The soil should not be waterlogged (risk of root rot), nor completely dried out.

• After planting: Water regularly until the seedling takes root.
• In summer: On hot days, water in the morning or evening at the roots, not on the leaves.
• In winter: Limit watering; in winter, wet conditions are more dangerous for it than dry ones.

The most common cause of Daisy death, especially in heavier soils, is winter waterlogging. If you have clay soil, the roots rot in winter. We recommend adding sand or gravel to the planting hole as drainage. Another possibility is that the plant was too old – Daisies are so-called short-lived perennials and need regular rejuvenation.

This Daisy is the star of country and romantic flower beds. It looks great in combination with:

• Tall perennials: Larkspur (Delphinium), Phlox, or Sage (Salvia).
• Roses: Its white flowers soften the bold colors of roses.
• Grasses: Complement it with ornamental grasses for a more modern look.
• Poppies: You will create a blooming meadow effect.

It loves the sun! It needs a fully sunny site for a rich set of its full white flowers. In the shade, it will flower little, stretch in height, and be more prone to diseases. The soil should be common garden soil, humus-rich, but mainly permeable. Daisies do not tolerate permanent waterlogging.

For maximum durability (7–10 days), harvest the flowers when they are fully open and have a firm, smooth central disk. If the center is already domed and shedding pollen, the flower is too old and will soon drop petals in the vase. Change the water in the vase every 2–3 days and trim the stems.

There can be several reasons:

1. Too much shade: The Daisy needs direct sun.
2. Nitrogen over-fertilization: The plant forms only leaves at the expense of flowers.
3. Old clump: If you haven't transplanted the Daisy for several years, it has become "tired." Divide it and transplant.
4. Planting depth: Sometimes planting too deep is an issue; the root crown should not be buried deep underground.

Daisies are not extremely demanding, but they welcome nutrients for rich flowering.

• In spring: Work well-rotted compost into the soil around the plants.
• Before flowering: You can fertilize with liquid fertilizer for flowering perennials (with higher potassium and phosphorus content).
• Watch out for nitrogen: Excess nitrogen causes lush leaf growth, but the plant will flower less and be more prone to falling over.

Although some Daisy species (e.g., Oxeye Daisy - Leucanthemum vulgare) have edible young leaves and flowers used in salads, the bred variety 'Christine Hagemann' is grown exclusively for ornamental purposes. It is not intended for consumption, even though it is not directly poisonous. Some people may have a sensitive skin reaction (contact dermatitis) upon contact with the leaves, so we recommend gloves for more sensitive persons when handling.

The 'Christine Hagemann' Daisy is quite resilient, but it has two main enemies:

• Slugs and snails: They love freshly sprouting spring shoots. Watch the plant in April and May, or use protection against slugs.
• Aphids: Can appear on buds and suck sap, deforming the flowers. If infested, rinse them off with a stream of water or use a natural oil or soap-based spray.

The Daisy (Leucanthemum) is generally not considered toxic to dogs or cats. It is a safe plant for a garden where animals move about. Nevertheless, animals should not nibble on the plants in large quantities, because any plant matter can cause digestive trouble in more sensitive individuals, but there is no risk of poisoning.

You can plant seedlings of this Daisy in the spring (from April to June) or in the autumn (September to October). If planting in the spring, make sure there is no longer a risk of strong ground frosts, or harden the plants off gradually. Autumn planting should take place early enough before the arrival of winter so the plant has time to root. It is important to plant in well-prepared, weeded soil.

Yes, it is a classic perennial that is frost-hardy in our conditions. However, the biggest enemy in winter is not frost, but winter dampness.

• Ensure good soil drainage.
• For winter, you can mound a little well-rotted compost or brushwood around the clumps, which protects the root crown from bare frosts.
• Cut dry stems either in autumn or (better yet) early in the spring, when they serve as natural protection.

Don't be afraid of scissors! Once the first wave of flowers has faded, perform a cutback. Remove the faded stems right down to the ground. With this intervention:

1. You support the plant's vitality.
2. You often achieve repeat blooming (remontancy) later in the summer.
3. The plant will not exhaust itself producing seeds.

The 'Christine Hagemann' variety has large, double flowers that can be heavy, especially after rain. Although its stems are relatively strong, in windy locations or with vigorous growth, it pays to provide the plant with a circular support or tie it up gently so the clump doesn't fall apart and the stems don't break.

Daisies age relatively quickly, and after 3–4 years, the clumps begin to thin out and flower less. Rejuvenate by dividing the clumps:

1. The best time is early spring (March/April) or autumn.
2. Dig up the entire clump.
3. Divide it with a spade or your hands into smaller parts (each must have roots and sprouting buds).
4. Discard the woody center of the old clump and plant only the vigorous outer parts in a new location.