Attention-grabbing in summer

You can never have too many low-maintenance blooms! Deer-tolerant and disease-resistant, ‘Banana Cream’ Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum) is easy care, even in the heat of summer. But that’s not the only benefit of this beautiful, long-blooming perennial.

Its large, 4- to 5-inch flowers are stunning. Semidouble, they open pale lemon-yellow — a unique hue for Shasta daisy. In a few days, blooms slowly fade to creamy white, like you see at left. Plants are covered in flowers ranging from shades of pastel yellow and cream, just like in the smaller photo.

Type Perennial

Blooms Large, semidouble pale lemon-yellow midsummer flowers fade to creamy white

Light Full sun but will take some afternoon shade

Soil Well-drained, tolerates dry

Pests None serious

Size 15 to 18 in. tall, 24 to 28 in. wide

Cold-hardy USDA zones 5 to 9

Heat-tolerant AHS zones 9 to 1

Source Local garden centers