When to Plant Daisies in Ontario – 2026
Published: April 27, 2026
Ontario spans Canadian hardiness zones across multiple cities. Plant daisies in Ontario from mid-may (cool annuals) or after victoria day (perennials).. Cool-season annual daisies (Bachelor's Button, Swan River Daisy) can go out 2 to 4 weeks before Victoria Day in Ontario and Quebec — they tolerate frost down to -7°C. Shasta daisy and other perennials wait until after Victoria Day for safe transplanting.
Daisies Planting Window for Ontario
Shasta daisies: transplant in early spring or fall. Annual daisies (Bachelor's Button, Swan River Daisy): direct sow 2–4 weeks before last frost. Oxeye daisy is perennial — plant in spring or fall. Most daisies self-seed freely once established.
For Ontario specifically, the recommended planting window is Mid-May (cool annuals) or after Victoria Day (perennials).. Ontario gardens across multiple climate zones — adjust based on your specific city. Cool-season annual daisies (Bachelor's Button, Swan River Daisy) can go out 2 to 4 weeks before Victoria Day in Ontario and Quebec — they tolerate frost down to -7°C. Shasta daisy and other perennials wait until after Victoria Day for safe transplanting.
Shasta daisies are reliably hardy to Zone 3 in Canada. Oxeye daisy (the wild meadow type) is hardy to Zone 2 but considered invasive in some Canadian provinces — check before planting.
Ontario Cities — Daisies Planting Dates
Each city below has local frost dates, Canadian zone, and a city-specific daisies planting calendar.
Best Daisies Varieties for Ontario
For Ontario , choose varieties rated for your zone or one zone colder for reliable winter survival. The Canadian-bred or tested varieties below perform well in Ontario conditions.
Tallest Shasta cultivar (90 cm). Strong stems don't flop in summer rain. Excellent across all Canadian zones.
Compact (60 cm) classic Shasta. The standard for Canadian perennial gardens.
Pink, red, or white blooms with yellow centres. Source of natural pyrethrum insecticide. Reliably hardy in Calgary and Saskatoon.
Tender perennial — annual in cold Canadian zones. Use for container plantings only.
Native white daisy-form perennial. Spreads aggressively in moist Canadian gardens. Excellent ground cover for Prairie shaded sites.
Caring for Daisies in Ontario
Sow method: direct sow or transplant. The steps below adapt the general planting advice for Ontario's climate and timing.
- →Annual daisies: direct sow seeds 2 to 4 weeks before last frost when soil is workable.
- →Perennial daisies: transplant in early spring (after last frost) or fall (6 weeks before first frost).
- →Choose a site with full sun (6+ hours) — daisies in shade get leggy and bloom poorly.
- →Space Shasta daisies 45 cm (18 inches) apart; Oxeye 30 cm (12 inches); Painted 30 cm (12 inches).
- →Water consistently for the first month after transplanting; established daisies tolerate moderate drought.
- →Deadhead spent blooms to extend the flowering period and prevent self-seeding (or skip deadheading to encourage naturalizing).
Frequently Asked Questions about Daisies in Ontario
When should I plant daisies in Ontario?
Plant daisies in Ontario from mid-may (cool annuals) or after victoria day (perennials).. Shasta daisies: transplant in early spring or fall. Annual daisies (Bachelor's Button, Swan River Daisy): direct sow 2–4 weeks before last frost. Oxeye daisy is perennial — plant in spring or fall. Most daisies self-seed freely once established.
What Canadian zones are in Ontario?
Ontario spans multiple Canadian hardiness zones depending on location. Major cities and their zones: Toronto (Zone 6b), Ottawa (Zone 5b), Hamilton (Zone 6b), London (Zone 6a), Kitchener (Zone 6a). Check planthardiness.gc.ca for your exact postal code.
What daisies varieties grow best in Ontario?
Shasta daisy 'Becky' (Zone 3+): Tallest Shasta cultivar (90 cm). Strong stems don't flop in summer rain. Excellent across all Canadian zones. Shasta daisy 'Alaska' (Zone 3+): Compact (60 cm) classic Shasta. The standard for Canadian perennial gardens.