He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not

I spend a lot of time telling everyone about my grandparent’s favorite flowers. Today I decided to share one of mine. The beautiful Shasta Daisy. From as early as I can remember I have always loved daisies. Sitting in the grass at the nursery around our ponds there were small daisies. My mother showed me how to pull off the petals and say: “He loves me, he loves me not.” I thought that was such an exciting thing to do. I just knew when I grew up I would end with “He loves me” and be happy forever! Something about little girls and their day dreams.

I did grow up and marry the love of my life and carried daisies in my wedding bouquet. Along the way I discovered Shastas and ended up planting them around my home. These long lasting summer-blooming perennials come back year after year, bigger and bigger. My husband just rolls his eyes when I bring home yet another “NEW'”one we just have to have, but goes out and plants it anyway. Cutting several stems and mixing them with other perennials, they make the perfect bouquet for our table.

As many know, I am great at directing my husband on what I like in the garden…not so hot on actually getting out there and weeding and cleaning up from the Winter. But this year, while walking around the house the other day, I saw the foliage of our daisies flushing out and I thought…hmmm…maybe I will get out there and do a little garden work…or not…

Posted by: Stephanie Fleming, Vice President, Behnke Nurseries