English Daisies in the Lawn ⋆ SomeTyme Place

The daisy follows soft the sun,
And when his golden walk is done,
Sits shyly at his feet.
He, waking, finds the flower near.

English Daisies in the Lawn. March 25, 2025.

It is the eve of Spring, and the flowers are beginning to stir under the ground where they have long slept. Some are still a bit tired and snuggle down a bit deeper in the soil, waiting until things warm up a bit more before poking a leaf or two out of their cozy bed. Other flowers feel sprightlier and are already stretching upward, not even waiting for Spring to start. English daisies are among the early risers of Spring. They are simply wild with excitement and have already burst forth, blooming cheerfully in nearby fields with heads turned up to the sun. And that is how they got their name, according to an 11th-century reference, which calls them “day’s eye” because they stretch their petals wide open each morning with the sun’s arrival, then fold them back up at night and go to sleep.

The friendly daisy often shows up uninvited and forms whole families of daisies, smiling together at the sun. In a very short while, a grassy field may find itself dotted with daisy families, which is why she is not often invited to the garden. A gardener may not enjoy an invasion of daisies in the lawn. But those who love the flowery mead will welcome walking through the fluffy white masses. And while she is no grand beauty like the peony or garden queen like the rose, the humble stature of the daisy calls to some deep spiritual yearning for simplicity. It is not a stretch to the imagination to see why they are religiously symbolic of purity, innocence, and the Virgin Mary.

A little more about English Daisies…

Bellis Perennis, or the English Daisy, has other names such as Mary’s Rose, Lawn Daisy, or Woundwort. The last name likely comes from its reputation for healing, with its astringent herbal actions that help bind and tighten skin and reduce inflammation. Ancient Roman armies treated sword and spear wounds with daisy juices. This reputation for healing wounds would last for more than an age. People with fever, lung issues, or liver problems might be treated with daisies as well. They were even used as an expectorant. However, the daisy has since fallen by the wayside among herbalists.

Potage herbs were important in the medieval age for extra nourishment and to flavor stews and other dishes, and daisies were among them. Salads might also have daisies. Today, people don’t cook with daisies, but their flushed pink petal tips make them a pretty decoration on desserts. If you happen to grow them, they will look lovely on a cake. All parts of the daisy are edible, although not tasty.

To plant or not?

There is a childlike joy to the daisy. With its gently stooping posture, the daisy provides a tiny white umbrella to shade any tiny travelers that might pass, such as a fat and jolly beetle on his way home or perhaps some fairy folk that need a sojourn for a bit of a rest before getting on their way again to a woodland dance. A child wandering through a daisy-laden field may find themselves stopping to make a daisy chain for a garland to wear upon their head, as in the olden days. The daisy’s appeal to childhood innocence gives a garden an air of wholesomeness. And for that reason, I have two packs of English Daisy seeds to plant in the tiny “flowery mead” I am creating out back. These happy flowers absolutely belong in the cottage garden.

Have a beautiful day!

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