The official birth flower of April is the daisy, one of the most recognizable flowers of spring. The white petals and yellow centers of the shasta daisy bring to mind daisies growing wild along roadsides and across meadows; they remind us of carefree summer days. But the classic  flower is just one of the many varieties of daisy that we celebrate this month – so let’s learn more about this well-known bloom. 

• The name “daisy” originated as a derivation of the Old English words “daes esg”, translated to “day’s eye”. The flower shuts and closes into a bud at night, and opens its petals again in morning sunlight.
• Daisies have an extensive family of floral relatives. These “vascular plants” – so called because they circulate nutrients much like a blood circulatory system – represent 10% of all flowering plants on the Earth.
• Daisies are essentially two flowers. The center of the daisy contains tiny disc flowers; the petals are another flower unto themselves.
• Daisy leaves are not only edible, they are very healthy. This great source of vitamin C also can calm coughs, ease congestion and alleviate the pain of a sore back.
• Because the daisy is often impervious to bugs and pesticides, they can begin to act like weeds very quickly, and overgrowth is common if they are not controlled.

Gerbera daisies come in a wide spectrum of striking colors, a fact that makes them the daisy of choice for many floral arrangers. They are often the focal point of vibrant spring bouquets, and combine beautifully with a full range of seasonal flowers. For all April birthdays, consider sending the official birth flower of the month – stop into one of our two Zeidler’s Flowers today to order yours!