Tasso Red English Daisy
Bellis perennis 'Tasso Red'
flowerEnglish daisy is the storybook lawn daisy, here in the plump, fully double Tasso form that packs each bloom with rose-red petals into a tidy 1 inch pompom. Low and tufted at just 4 to 6 inches tall, it is a classic for spring edging, window boxes, and the front of cool-season beds, often paired with pansies and violas. It is technically a hardy perennial but is grown as a biennial or cool-season annual: it flowers freely in the cool of spring, then fades as summer heat sets in. The young leaves and petals are even edible in small amounts, tossed into salads.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 3 days
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Bloom
~70 days
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Difficulty
easy
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Lifecycle
biennial
Leaves year 1, flowers year 2
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Spacing
6 in. apart
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Planting Depth
Set crown level with the soil surface
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Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Growing Details
Soil Type
Rich, moist, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 4 – 8
Grown as an annual. This range is its winter hardiness, but you can grow it for a single season in any zone.
When to Fertilize
Light feeding at planting and again mid-bloom
Fertilizer
Balanced all-purpose fertilizer or compost
🌱 Growing Guide
Bellis thrives in cool weather and consistently moist, rich soil. Grow it in full sun where summers are mild, or give afternoon shade in hot-summer regions; it is hardy in zones 4 to 8. It cannot tolerate drought, so keep the soil evenly moist and mulch to hold water. In the North, sow or set plants in early spring for late-spring bloom; in the South, plant in fall for late-winter and spring flowers, since the plants burn out once heat arrives. Space about 6 inches apart. Deadhead to prolong bloom and prevent heavy self-seeding (in cool climates it can naturalize and spread). Treat it as a short-term, replaceable cool-season flower rather than a permanent perennial.
🌼 Have a different variety?Cultivars of the same species usually share the same basic care, and they differ mainly in flower color, height, and bloom form, not in how you grow them. So this guide still applies even if your exact variety isn't the one shown.
Planting Calendar
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Start seeds indoors
Feb 18
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Transplant outdoors
Apr 1
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Projected first bloom
Jun 10
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Pansy: The classic cool-season partner - same light, water, and temperature needs, blooming together in spring beds and boxes
- Tulip: A low daisy carpet underplants spring bulbs beautifully and hides their fading foliage
- Snapdragon: Another cool-season bloomer that adds height above the low daisies in the same spring planting
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts. Tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Rinse off clusters on new growth and encourage ladybugs; rarely a serious problem
Hand-pick at night, use barriers, and avoid mulching right up to the low crowns in damp weather
Give airflow and water at the base; remove affected leaves in humid spells
🌸 Blooms & cutting
The little pompoms make sweet short posies cut in the cool morning. Deadhead regularly to keep flowers coming and to limit self-sowing. When summer heat makes the plants decline and look ragged, simply pull and compost them and replant in fall or the following spring. Young leaves and flower petals can be picked in small amounts for salads while the plants are growing well.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
Mostly ornamental, but unusual among bedding flowers in being edible - the young leaves and the flower petals can be added raw, in small amounts, to salads and sandwiches. In the garden the open flowers offer early-season nectar to bees.
⚠️ Toxicity & safety
The young leaves and petals are edible in small quantities, but the plant contains saponins and oxalates, so eating a large amount can cause stomach upset (vomiting, diarrhea) and the foliage can irritate the skin of sensitive people. Enjoy it as an occasional garnish rather than a salad green; it is not listed as toxic to dogs or cats.
For educational and informational purposes only. HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.