The perennial daisies are small but very widespread flowers of European meadows and homesteads. They grow naturally in meadows, pastures, roadsides and yards, so they were seen in people's surroundings long before they were grown in ornamental flower beds. The modest white flowers with a yellow center became one of the first signs of spring, and over time, daisies were also brought to gardens. Later, ornamental varieties with larger or full-centered flowers were bred from wild forms.
In the gardens of monasteries and manors, daisies were grown as early as the Middle Ages. Although they were not as showy as large ornamental flowers, they were valued for their early flowering and ability to form low flowering carpets. Daisies were usually planted along paths, at the edges of flower beds, or in other places where densely growing low plants were needed.
Later, ornamental varieties of daisies with larger, full-bodied flowers became popular in manor gardens. In the 19th century, when ornamental carpet flower beds became popular in Europe, daisies became one of the plants most often used in such compositions. They allowed for the creation of neat, long-blooming patterns and went well with other dwarf flowers.
In rural homesteads, perennial daisies usually grew naturally – in yards, lawns or along paths. However, in some places they were moved closer to the house, to nurseries or the edges of lawns. Early flowering brought life to the environment even before other nursery flowers bloomed, so daisies were appreciated as a simple but cozy spring accent.
In cities, daisies were also common in green spaces. They grew in parks, squares, on the edges of lawns, or in small flower beds. Due to their ability to spread quickly and form dense thickets, daisies easily established themselves in various places and often became a natural part of the urban environment.
In Eastern Aukštaitija, perennial daisies usually grew in meadows, in homestead yards, or along paths. In some places, they were deliberately left or moved to nurseries as early-blooming spring flowers. Even in poorly maintained areas, daisies easily survived, blooming again every year as soon as the weather warmed up.
Today, the perennial sunflower is often considered a simple meadow flower, but its history is also closely linked to gardening. Its modest beauty, early flowering, and ability to grow almost without care allow this plant to remain one of the most recognizable symbols of spring to this day.
