I winter sowed L. maximum 'Crazy Daisy' from traded seeds a couple years ago & planted them in my ND neighbor's full sun bed.* They bloomed this year and were loaded with large, ruffly white blooms for what seemed to me to be at least 3 weeks if not more. Gosh they were so pretty!!

* We have an understanding: they mow my lawn all summer; I plant things in her beds.

gardenweed, that's a great rade. I think you have the better deal, lol.

I really like the look of 'Crazy Daisy' so thanks!

I'm going to try winter sowing for the first time this year, so I'll add that to my list.

a2zmom - happy to help. I was totally blown away with those winter sown SD 'Crazy Daisy' blooms so am happy to wish you success not only with winter sowing but also with the seeds. Plant them in full sun and just let them take it from there.

I had purchased a Crazy Daisy 5 years ago and it never really grew well for me. The flowers did not all open, some buds browned and dried up before they opened. Many of the buds that did open produced flowers that were mis-shapen and small. The plant decreased in size every year and just looked sickly. There was just a small piece left this spring and I dug it out and gave it to my neighbor to see if it would do better in another place.

I received Esther Reed in trade last year. It bloomed late in the summer and this year it has put on quite a show. Every bud has opened and I'm pleased with the shape and size of the flowers. It is just now finished blooming and I would say that it has been in bloom for 2 months. I need to dead head it to see if I will get more flowers and I plan on doing that tomorrow, if it doesn't rain here.

Linda

Esther Reed is a beauty! It's apparently been around for a while, which likely means very hardy.