Advice requested re Marguerites

[Herbsandveg]

Could anyone advise me, please, on Marguerites?

I've had some in a wheelbarrow this year, and they've had two very prolific spells of flowering, but have now dropped back to a very sorry state.

My neighbour helped me with them the last time they looked like this - ie somewhere around the early Summer - and they flowered really well again after that, but as you can see from the accompanying pictures they are now looking pretty worn out.

Should I now take them out and away for this year, and simply repot them until needed again next Spring, or would it be best to simply dead head them and leave them in situ in the hope they'll overwinter and come back again next year?

As ever with me, I'd be grateful for any help you could give me.

[Guest]

I can't see what difference it will make whether they are left in a barrow or put in a pot. root disturbance maybe. I have found they are tough ole things so I would leave. If you are worried and want to cover your bum, hack (yes, I am just that kind to mine ) some bits off and pot those up instead.

[Ryez]

Deadheading and a little bit of flower feed might worth a try. But yes, I would take cuttings to propagate them for next year, in case they don't do well in the next season.

[Herbsandveg]

Thank you Ryez and NorfolkGrey for your replies.

I'll follow your advice, and see if there's any improvement over the space of the next few weeks. Is there any value in putting the plants in a pot and bringing them inside for the duration of the winter?

[Guest]

I know Martin H has an issue with slugs and his marguerites, so if you have a mild winter the slugs might play havoc. Some plants genuinely need lifting but IMO marguerites are not one of them.

[Martin H]

I have a slug problem with the large-flowered ones, like this sort of thing: Buy shasta daisy Leucanthemum � superbum 'Wirral Supreme': Delivery by Crocus

It might be that I'm the only person who calls these marguerites though, cos that's what my mum calls them.

The little ones that seed everywhere seem to be left alone.

[Herbsandveg]

I know Martin H has an issue with slugs and his marguerites, so if you have a mild winter the slugs might play havoc. Some plants genuinely need lifting but IMO marguerites are not one of them.

After some careful thought thus afternoon, I'm hoping that by keeping them in the wheelbarrow, and by surrounding it with a 'ring of steel' (i.e. By surrounding the legs with a band of copper tape - I'll even save them a wasted journey by putting the tape down near the ground) I'll guarantee the an entirely slug-free winter.

[Guest]

I have a slug problem with the large-flowered ones, like this sort of thing: Buy shasta daisy Leucanthemum � superbum 'Wirral Supreme': Delivery by Crocus

It might be that I'm the only person who calls these marguerites though, cos that's what my mum calls them.

The little ones that seed everywhere seem to be left alone.

Just googled both and still none the wiser. Mine stand about 60cm tall have 10+cm wide flowers that just flop over as the summer goes on. They are a bit like my crazy daisies only they are apparently a chrysanth