shasta daisy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, botanical, horticultural
Quick answer
What does “shasta daisy” mean?
A perennial herbaceous flowering plant (Leucanthemum × superbum) with large white petals and a yellow centre, commonly grown in gardens.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A perennial herbaceous flowering plant (Leucanthemum × superbum) with large white petals and a yellow centre, commonly grown in gardens.
A term also used to refer to the cultivated variety of daisy bred by Luther Burbank, named after Mount Shasta, and more generally to any large, showy daisy of this type.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally understood in both varieties, but may be slightly more frequent in American English due to its origin (Mount Shasta is in California). The common name 'Shasta daisy' is standard in horticulture globally.
Connotations
Connotes a robust, classic, sun-loving garden plant. In the UK, it might be perceived as a distinctly 'American' cultivar name within a familiar flower type.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday conversation, but standard in gardening contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “shasta daisy” in a Sentence
The [ADJ] Shasta daisy [VERB].[VERB] Shasta daisies in/with [NOUN].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shasta daisy” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Shasta daisy display was the highlight of the village fete's floral competition.
American English
- She preferred a Shasta daisy border for its low maintenance and long bloom time.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in the horticultural trade (e.g., 'Our spring catalogue features three new Shasta daisy varieties.').
Academic
Used in botanical texts, horticultural studies, and plant biology papers describing cultivated species.
Everyday
Used by gardeners and in conversations about gardening, landscaping, or cut flowers.
Technical
Standard term in horticulture, taxonomy, and floriculture for this specific hybrid.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “shasta daisy”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “shasta daisy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shasta daisy”
- Incorrect: 'Shasta Daisy' (capitalising 'daisy' is not standard unless at the start of a sentence).
- Incorrect: Using it as a general term for any white daisy found in the wild.
- Incorrect: 'Shasta-daisy' (hyphen is not standard in modern usage).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The common daisy (Bellis perennis) is a small lawn weed. The Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum × superbum) is a larger, cultivated garden perennial hybrid.
Yes, they can be grown in large, deep pots with good drainage, but they thrive best planted directly in garden borders where they have more room for their roots.
It was named by its creator, plant breeder Luther Burbank, after the snow-capped peak of Mount Shasta in California, to suggest the flower's pure white petals.
Yes, they are herbaceous perennials. The foliage dies back in winter, and new growth emerges from the roots in spring.
A perennial herbaceous flowering plant (Leucanthemum × superbum) with large white petals and a yellow centre, commonly grown in gardens.
Shasta daisy is usually formal, botanical, horticultural in register.
Shasta daisy: in British English it is pronounced /ˌʃæs.tə ˈdeɪ.zi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌʃæs.tə ˈdeɪ.zi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of SHASTA (like the mountain) + DAISY. A daisy so big and impressive, it's named after a mountain.
Conceptual Metaphor
GARDEN PLANT AS A ROBUST, CHEERFUL CHARACTER (e.g., 'The Shasta daisies stood like cheerful soldiers along the border.').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary distinguishing feature of a Shasta daisy?