The Perennial
Plant Association is pleased to announce that the Perennial Plant of the
Year 2003 is Leucanthemum 'Becky'. PPA members selected the Becky
Shasta daisy on the basis of its bright white flowers, sturdy stems that
resist lodging, and long season of bloom. Leucanthemum 'Becky'
has proven to be a lovely and dependable perennial for herbaceous borders
across the country.
 Contemporary
nomenclature now lists this Shasta daisy, a former member of the genus
Chrysanthemum, as Leucanthemum 'Becky' Superbum Group.
Shasta daisy is a member of the Asteraceae family and is a hybrid created
by Luther Burbank in 1890. The name of "Shasta daisy" supposedly comes
from the fact that the clean white petals of this daisy reminded Burbank
of the snow on Mount Shasta in California. 'Becky' has sturdy, upright
stems that grow 40 inches tall, with a similar spread. Three-inch wide,
single white flowers with contrasting yellow centers appear at the end
of June or early July when other Shastas are finishing. Flowering continues
throughout August and often into September. 'Becky Shasta daisy grows
well in hardiness zones 4 to 9.
History
To gardeners,
daisies have always exuded charm and friendliness. As a child many people
remember running through a field of wild daisies or picking some for their
mothers or teachers. Gardeners have long valued daisies of all types as
excellent pass-along plants. Leucanthemum 'Becky' is the quintessential
daisy.
The saga
of Leucanthemum 'Becky' starts with Jimmy and Becky Stewart of
Atlanta, Georgia. Jimmy and Becky received a Shasta daisy, from their
neighbor, Mary Ann Gatlin who in turn had obtained it from her mother,
Ida Mae. In the 1960s Ida Mae had spotted this daisy blooming in an Atlanta-area
garden and was so taken with it that she approached the owner and offered
to buy a clump. The owner gladly accepted Ida Mae's proposal and quickly
filled her car trunk with Shasta daisies. Ida Mae had a successful florist/nursery
business and sold 'Becky' as a garden plant and also as a cut flower.
In the mid 1980s Bill Funkhouser visited the Stewart garden and was impressed
with the pass-along daisy. Unable to find a clear identity for this excellent
plant, Bill chose to call it Chrysanthemum 'Becky' to honor Becky
Stewart. The Stewarts' later discovered that nurseryman Bud Heist had
received the daisy from the Gatlins and was growing it under the name
of 'Ida Mae'. Ryan Gainey of Atlanta had also passed along this daisy
to the Goodness Grows nursery that dubbed it "Ryan's Daisy". Later Bill
Funkhouser joined the Wayside Gardens staff and he included this daisy
in the Wayside catalog as Leucanthemum 'Becky'.
Landscape
Use
Leucanthemum
'Becky' is a wonderful choice to be grown as a specimen or en masse in
the perennial border, in naturalistic landscapes, to attract butterflies,
for garden bouquets, and even large containers. It can be one of the main
stalwarts of the summer border. Plant with Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian
sage) for a long season of bloom. Place Scabiosa columbaria 'Butterfly
Blue' (pincushion flower) in front and add Veronica 'Royal Candles' for
a lovely combination of white, blue and blue-lavender. For extra zing,
add Crocosmia 'Lucifer' a brilliant scarlet red, summer flowering bulb.
Cultivation
An excellent
cultivar of an old-fashioned favorite, Becky Shasta daisy grows best in
full sun and well-drained soil. Plants are not tolerant of excessive moisture
or wet soils in winter. Deadheading encourages rebloom and extends the
flowering season into autumn. Stems can be cut back to the lower foliage
after flowering to tidy the plant. The flower stems are strong enough
to keep this daisy upright after a heavy rain and to make it an excellent
cut flower. Many Shasta daisies do not grow well in the hot, humid temperatures
of the South and are not hardy in cold northern winters. 'Becky' is superior
to other Shasta daisies due to its robust habit and performs well in southern
and northern climates.
Propagation
Leucanthemum
'Becky' can be propagated by stem cuttings, tissue culture, or division
with stem cuttings the normal method. Cuttings are taken from field grown
stock plants that should be replaced annually. Cuttings should be placed
in a well-drained growing medium with a pH of 5.8 to 6.5. Rooting hormone
is not required but treating cuttings with #8 Hormex produces a more uniform
root system 2 to 3 days sooner than no treatment. Best rooting occurs with
cuttings taken at 3-week intervals from June through August.
Hardiness:
Grows reliably in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9
Light:
Full sun, tolerant of partial shade Soil: Growth is optimum in moist,
but well-drained soil Uses: This Shasta daisy is valued for its long bloom
season making it a good choice for both formal and informal gardens. The
florist will find that 'Becky is an excellent cut flower.
Unique
Qualities: Leucanthemum 'Becky' provides great garden
color from July to September. It is known for its adaptability to northern
and southern gardens. The sturdy stems ensure good garden presence throughout
the season.
Planting
Information: Plant in fall or spring. It tolerates a wide range
of conditions in full sun or partial shade. Growth is best in well-drained
and moist fertile soils. Deadheading encourages rebloom and extends the
flowering season.
|
News