The Fast-Growing Daisy That Can Fill Bare Spots In Your Garden In A Snap

You're planning your next flower beds and can't stop thinking about that nagging bare spot, where nothing has been growing. How awesome would it be to find a flowering plant that not only fills in this spot beautifully but also grows quickly so you don't have to wait long to cover that empty patch? Fast-growing blackfoot daisy (Melampodium leucanthum) will reach its full size of up to 16 inches tall within a season. This daisy is often used as a ground cover, so its reputation for filling in bare spots is well established. 

Originating in Central America, this daisy is part of the 40-species Melampodium genus. It is hardy in USDA zones 4a to 11b, and has a compact, bushy appearance that's significantly wider than it its tall, making it an excellent choice for filling in bare patches. This perky perennial flower has a lot going for it. Consider it the stunning full-sun flower that can take the blazing heat of summer. Blackfoot daisy needs little water and does fine in poor, rocky, and sandy soils. You should not have to worry about deer or rabbits munching on these daisies, thanks to a smell and hairy-stemmed texture unpleasant to these invaders.

Long-blooming blackfoot daisy will bring its cheer to your landscape throughout the growing season, flowering from early spring through the first frost. These daisy provide a great way to bring more pollinators into your yard and garden. The plant also self-seeds, to the delight of birds who eat its seeds. 

Because this daisy's deep taproot complicates transplanting, grow the plant from seed in moist, well-drained soil. Plant deeply to accommodate the taproot and in full sun. Water to maintain consistent moisture, but avoid overwatering, which may result in root rot. You'd think you might need to know how and when to deadhead daisies, but blackfoot daisies are self-cleaning and should not need deadheading.

While blackfoot daisy grows quickly, it spreads slowly, nicely filling in any gaps. This daisy is often used in rock gardens, where it fills in spaces between rocks and cascades over them. Its single daisy blooms on slender stems that help give the space volume in a way that looks light and airy.