Olivine Moss
- Mar 16, 2023
- 4 min read

Daisy Myths Legends Poetry and Planting

Updated: Dec 2, 2023

Innocence

Loyal

Love

Never Tell

Purity

Myths and Legends

Resides in Venus and Cancer.

The first flower of spring.

Also known as Bellis from the myth of the dryads where a beautiful nymph named Belides was dancing in the gardens and attracted the eye of the god Vertumnus. When the god advanced on Belides to embrace her, she vanished before his eyes and turned into the beautiful delicate daisy we admire today.

In Celtic mythology, the Gods would spread daisies upon the earth when an infant dies to help parents through the mourning process.

In Norse mythology, Freya who is the Goddess of love, beauty, warfare, death, magic, and witchcraft is represented by the daisy. Freya was the Goddess of spring and was celebrated during Sigrblót the first day of the spring season Harpa which was mid-April to mid-May. Freya was celebrated during this festival.

Was known as the emblem of fidelity.

The Daisy was the flower of early English poetry..

Saint Augustine was in awe when he first encountered an English meadow full of Daisies and declared, " Behold , a hundred pearls , with the radiance of a living sun in each! So may the spirits of the blest shine in heaven ! "

Saint Louise IX 1214-1270, took the badge of the daisy to commemorate his wife Marguerite of Provence after his death. Miracles kept taking place at King Louise's grave site which led to his canonization and his new flower, the Fleur de Lys.

The French name for Daisy is La Belle Marguerite and was also a popular name for the fair ladies of the French Court. Worn by Knights, Lords, and Ladies to pay homage to the great Queen Margaret of Navarre 1492 - 1549 who lived a very rich life in the same era as Da Vinci, which was full of intrigue avoiding and advocating against religious persecution, which meant burning at the stake for "heresy" if "convicted".

"In his scarf the knight the daisy bound , And dames at tourney shone with daisies crowned."

Medicinal Uses

Historically the daisy was used for ailments indigestion, scurvy, and pains in the chest, and can be made into an ointment

Daisy Poetry

“ A very pearl of flowers indeed

This little firstling of the mead ;

So innocent it is , so sweet ,

It bears the name of ' Marguerite ' ;

The poets call it ' eye of day , ' '

Daisy , ' the children fondly say :

Thus pretty Bellis still we see

Dancing right gaily on the lee ;

Emblem of innocence is she . "

"Without the bed the bed her other fair hand was,

On the green coverlet, whose perfect whit

Showed like an April daisy on the grass"

SHAKESPEAR

"The daisie , or floure white and rede ,

And in French called la belle Marguerite .

To hern I have so great affectioun ,

As I said erst , 72 when commen is the Maie ,

That in my bedde there daweth me no daie ,

That I n'am up and walking in the mede

To see this floure agenst the sunne sprede .

So glad am I that when I have presence

Of it to done it all reverence . "

CHAUCER

How to Plant Daisies

Daisies are cheerful flowers that can brighten up any garden. They are easy to grow and care for, and they come in a variety of colors and sizes. Here are some tips on how to plant daisies in your backyard.

Choose a sunny spot. Daisies love the sun and need at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. Avoid planting them in shady areas or under trees.

Prepare the soil. Daisies prefer well-drained, fertile soil that is rich in organic matter. You can improve the soil quality by adding compost, manure, or peat moss before planting. Loosen the soil with a fork or a shovel and remove any weeds or rocks.

Dig holes for the plants. Depending on the type and size of the daisies, you may need to space them 6 to 18 inches apart. The holes should be slightly larger than the root balls of the plants. You can use a trowel or your hands to dig the holes.

Plant the daisies. Carefully remove the plants from their pots or containers and gently loosen the roots. Place them in the holes and fill them with soil, making sure the crown of the plant is level with the ground. Press the soil firmly around the roots and water them well.

Mulch and fertilize. To help retain moisture and prevent weeds, you can spread a layer of mulch around the plants, leaving a few inches of space around the stems. You can use organic materials such as bark, straw, or grass clippings as mulch. You can also apply a balanced fertilizer once or twice during the growing season, following the instructions on the label.

Water and deadhead. Daisies need regular watering, especially during hot and dry weather. Check the soil moisture with your finger and water when it feels dry to the touch. Avoid overwatering or watering the leaves, as this can cause fungal diseases. To encourage more blooms, you can remove the faded flowers by pinching them off with your fingers or using scissors.