Oxeye daisy

Parades of daisies on the banks of roadsides give us all a tremendous amount of cheer during the warmer months. Their happy faces searching for the sun - radiating love and light. When observed en masse, we imagine them to be the ravers of wildflowers - all dancing loosely, looking for a high, in a sort of euphoric delirium. 

There is a more innocent and conventional take, however. To many, Daisies are simply the friendliest of flowers. They are the first flower, the sort that children draw, with simple petals, a line for a stem and a splash of yellow to match the sun.
A children's game is attached to the flower, too: she loves me, she loves me not, originally from French, effeuiller la marguerite. Daisies are Laura's favourite - they evoke memories of endless summer days, making chains, crafting crowns, pulling petals and picking bunches for Mum. 

However, some of us aren't so whimsical or enchanted, and we've known a few who enjoy a daisy massacre by relentlessly mowing the grass. Whilst a trimmed lawn is the desire of most - we like a wild rendering of our outdoor spaces and defend the daisies for as long as possible. It's an often futile battle, so enjoy them whilst you can - whether observing them sprouting out of a wall or catching a glimpse while spinning on a roundabout.

There are varying sorts, and the ones we favour for arranging are the leggy Oxeye variety. Digging a little deeper - we discover that Oxeye – means' white flower', and the name 'daisy' comes from 'day's eye' because the flower closes at night. Its white petals glow at dusk, giving it the alternative name of 'Moon daisy'. 

At home, in our ideal situation, we would try and replicate how they appear on verges - and have swathes of bud vases on every surface filled with them - you'd need bucketloads, like church dressing for a wedding, but entirely worth the effort. Sit, eat, mingle and enjoy their company as you would a crowd of guests at a garden party.