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Chrysanthemum 'Painted Daisies' Seeds

A kaleidoscope in flower form. Each bloom features concentric rings of scarlet, mahogany, and yellow, creating a striking bullseye effect that is a magnetic focal point for bees.

If you think daisies are just white and yellow, think again. 'Painted Daisies' (Annual Chrysanthemums) are like a kaleidoscope in flower form. Each bloom features distinct, concentric rings of scarlet, mahogany, bright yellow, and purple, creating a striking "bullseye" effect.

These are incredibly rewarding plants for beginners. They grow fast, produce mounds of ferny, succulent foliage, and pump out hundreds of flowers from mid-summer right through to autumn. They are excellent cut flowers, adding a retro, playful vibe to any bouquet, and are absolutely covered in bees on sunny days.


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🌿 Understanding the Plant

Ismelia carinata, commonly known as the Painted Daisy or Tricolour Chrysanthemum, is a robust Hardy Annual (H3). Unlike the perennial "Mums" often found in autumn, these are true meadow annuals that complete their entire life cycle in a single summer season. They are perfectly adapted to the British summer, possessing excellent weather resistance.

The "Cockade" Flower: The biological curiosity of this species lies in its petal pigmentation. The distinct concentric rings of colour are often compared to a botanical "rosette" or cockade. This high-contrast patterning is an evolutionary strategy designed to provide a highly visible landing target for pollinators from a distance.

Pollinator Support: As an RHS Plant for Pollinators, 'Painted Daisies' provide high-quality, easily accessible nectar. They are particularly attractive to British bees and hoverflies, making them a vital addition to any biodiversity-focused cottage garden or productive allotment.

🌱 Growing Guide

Painted Daisies are exceptionally easy to raise from seed, making them a perfect project for children or first-time gardeners.

How to Sow:
Direct sow outdoors from March to May for mid-to-late summer blooms. Scatter the seeds onto finely raked soil and cover lightly (approx. 3mm deep). Germination is typically rapid, occurring within 7-14 days. For an earlier display, seeds can be started indoors in February and transplanted once the soil warms.

Where to Plant:
They demand full sun and thrive in almost any well-drained soil. They are not fussy regarding soil type but perform best in "lean" conditions; over-feeding will encourage excessive green foliage at the expense of the colourful bullseye blooms. Space plants 25cm apart to allow their mounded habit to develop fully.

Ongoing Care:
To encourage a bushy, multi-stemmed plant, pinching is recommended. When seedlings reach 10-15cm tall, snip out the central growing tip to stimulate lateral branching. Regular deadheading or harvesting for the vase is essential—the more you cut, the more the plant will reward you with fresh blooms until the first autumn frosts.

📋 Plant Specifications
Botanical Name Ismelia carinata
Common Name Painted Daisy / Tricolour Chrysanthemum
Plant Type Hardy Annual
Hardiness H3 (Hardy through UK summer)
Light Requirements Full Sun ☀️
Height 60cm
Spread 30cm
Spacing Plant 25cm apart
Flowering Period June to September
Perfect For ✂️ Retro & Playful Cut Flowers
🌈 High-Impact Colourful Borders
🐝 Feeding Beneficial Pollinators
🧒 Children's First Gardens
Seeds per Packet Approximately 400 seeds
🤝 Beautiful Garden Combinations

The busy, multi-coloured pattern of 'Painted Daisies' acts as a vibrant focal point that pairs spectacularly with available partners from our range:

  • 💙 Cornflower 'Blue Ball': The Solid Contrast. The saturated, electric blue of the Cornflower provides a stunning visual anchor that picks out the blue rings of the daisy blooms. Together, they create a professional-looking "meadow-mix" aesthetic with natural height layering.
  • 🧡 Calendula 'Touch of Red': The Warm Match. The burnished orange and mahogany tones of this Calendula perfectly echo the warm scarlet and yellow rings of the Painted Daisy. This combination creates a rich, "sunset" palette that is exceptionally attractive to British hoverflies and bees.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar

Direct sow in spring for a spectacular harvest of multi-coloured bullseye blooms from mid-summer until the autumn frosts.

Month J F M A M J J J A S O N D
Direct Sow
Flowering

✨ Edible Garnish Tip
The petals of Annual Chrysanthemums are entirely edible! They possess a slightly peppery, citrus-like tang. Sprinkle the multi-coloured petals over summer salads or use them to decorate celebration cakes for an immediate visual pop.

🏆 Robust Garden Stamina

Known for its stamina and ability to thrive in full sun, Ismelia carinata is an essential choice for those wanting to create a vibrant, low-maintenance garden that provides non-stop "bullseye" blooms for both the border and the vase.

📖 Want more detailed growing advice?
View our Complete Growing Guide for Annuals →

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    A person in a floral dress holds a bright bouquet featuring Chrysanthemum Painted Daisies by Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd, with sunflowers and zinnias, set against lush green trees and a vibrant garden.
    Close-up of Chrysanthemum Painted Daisies by Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd: white and yellow blooms with dark centers, green stems and leaves, set in a sunlit field under a cloudy blue sky.
    Chrysanthemum Painted Daisies
    A vibrant garden showcases Chrysanthemum Painted Daisies by Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd, with colorful blooms in neat rows, surrounded by greenery and a wooden fence under a clear blue sky.
    A vibrant wildflower garden blooms under a blue sky, showcasing Chrysanthemum Painted Daisies in yellow, white, and pink from Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd. Lush green foliage fills the foreground with trees and flower beds in the distance.
    A close-up of Chrysanthemum Painted Daisies by Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd shows a white flower with yellow and red rings at its center, set among green foliage and budding chrysanthemums in the background.
    Chrysanthemum Painted Daisies by Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd feature yellow and red ringed blooms among lush green foliage, set in a garden with a backdrop of blurred flowers and greenery under a partly cloudy sky.
    Close-up of Chrysanthemum Painted Daisies by Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd—pink and white blooms with dark red and yellow-ringed centers, surrounded by lush green foliage, ideal for gardeners growing annual chrysanthemums from seed.
    A close-up of Chrysanthemum Painted Daisies by Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd shows vibrant yellow and red blooms in a meadow, surrounded by green grass and colorful flowers, with foliage and blue sky blurred in the background.
    Close-up of Chrysanthemum Painted Daisies by Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd, showing white blooms with maroon and yellow centers among green foliage in a garden, set against a softly blurred background.