The daisy (botanically Leucanthemum vulgare, sometimes also called the oxeye daisy) is one of the most popular and best-known wildflowers here in the Czech Republic. In this article, you'll learn everything important – what the daisy symbolizes, where it comes from, and how to care for it. If you're looking for bouquet inspiration in this style instead, check out our article on wildflower bouquets with daisies.
Daisy Day: A Celebration of Summer and Innocence in the Middle of Winter
You might be surprised to learn that International Daisy Day isn't celebrated on a sun-drenched summer meadow, but on January 28th – right in the depths of winter. Why? Perhaps precisely so that on gloomy days we can remind ourselves of sunshine, joy, and the hope that spring is on its way. The daisy isn't just "some ordinary flower from the meadow" – it carries a hidden meaning and holds its own irreplaceable place in floristry.
So What Exactly Is a "Florist's Daisy"?
When you walk into a flower shop in winter and say "I'd like a daisy," you probably won't get the classic wild one (Leucanthemum vulgare). Florists use its more refined cousins, which are longer-lasting and available year-round:
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Santini chrysanthemum: A small-flowered chrysanthemum that looks exactly like a little daisy (white with a yellow/green center).
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Tanacetum (feverfew): Tiny blooms that give bouquets a meadow-like look.
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Germini (mini gerberas): Their shape resembles large, colorful daisies.
A "Blooming Meadow"-Style Bouquet
Bring a bit of summer home, even in January. These bouquets evoke daisies.
Bouquet of Blended Sunflower
895 Kč
Bouquet Poppy doll
861 Kč
Blue Dolphin
815 Kč
Bouquet of flowering meadow
833 Kč
Meadow Daffodil bouquet
910 Kč
Daisy basket
1 150 KčOrigin and the "Day's Eye"
In English, the daisy's name comes from the Old English "day's eye." That's because its flower opens to the sun at dawn and closes again at dusk – just like a human eye drifting off to sleep.
It originally comes from northern Europe, but today you'll find it everywhere – from the Americas to Australia. It's a survivor that can withstand almost anything, which is why it became a symbol of resilience.
Symbolism: He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not?
For Europeans, daisies have become a symbol of purity, innocence, and new beginnings.
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Relationships: Here, the daisy is forever linked to love and works as a kind of fortune-telling oracle. Who doesn't know the childhood game of plucking petals one by one: "He loves me, he loves me not..."
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The home: A bouquet of daisies (or Santini) is said to bring harmony and brightness into the home.
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Christianity: The flower is dedicated to the Virgin Mary (symbolizing both her tears and her simplicity).
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Travel: Many travelers carry a dried daisy with them as an amulet meant to protect them from accidents.
Medicinal Properties (Careful, Don't Eat Store-Bought Flowers!)
The daisy (and its relative, chamomile) also has medicinal properties.
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A tea is drunk for coughs and to calm the nerves (insomnia).
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Compresses help with wounds and bruises.
Important notice: Cut flowers purchased from a flower shop are intended for decoration only! They're often treated with products to extend their vase life. If you want to use daisies internally (as tea or in a salad), pick them in unpolluted nature or buy dried herbs from a pharmacy instead.
How to Celebrate Daisy Day in January?
When there's snow or slush outside, celebrating daisies becomes all the more important. It's a psychological trick for lifting your mood.
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Buy "winter daisies": Order a bouquet of white germini or Santini. It'll light up your living room.
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Plan your garden: Late January is the perfect time to order seeds for spring sowing.
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Buy some jewelry: The daisy motif is a timeless classic in fashion.
Celebrate this day with us. Even in winter, we can deliver you a piece of a blooming meadow.
Team KvětinyExpres.cz
