Botanical Name: Leucanthemum × superbum ‘Snowcap’

Common Name: Shasta Daisy

Hardiness Zone: Perennial in Most Climates (USDA Zones 5–9)

Size: 12–18" Tall × 18–24" Wide

Growth Habit: Compact, Mounded, Well-Branched

Sunlight: Full Sun

Soil: Well-Drained Soil; Adaptable to Average Garden Soils

Water Needs: Moderate; Drought Tolerant Once Established

Bloom Season: Early Summer, with Light Repeat Bloom

Fertilizer: Light Feeding in Spring; Avoid Excess Fertility

Features: Bright White Daisy Blooms, Dense Habit, Excellent Uniformity, Deer Resistant, Pollinator Friendly

Uses: Front of Borders, Edging, Containers, Mass Plantings, Cottage Gardens

Patent: ❌ Not Patented

Propagation: ✔ Propagation Allowed

See our complete Leucanthemum Plant Guide for full care details.

More About Leucanthemum ‘Snowcap’ (Shasta Daisy)

Leucanthemum ‘Snowcap’ is one of the best varieties when you want that classic Shasta Daisy look but in a plant that stays compact and well behaved. The flowers are exactly what people picture when they think of a daisy. Bright white petals radiate around sunny golden centers, sitting just above the foliage in a way that feels cheerful and clean without becoming overwhelming. In smaller gardens especially, this variety really shines because it delivers that timeless daisy charm without the height and bulk that taller Shasta varieties can bring. One of the biggest advantages of ‘Snowcap’ is how consistently tidy it grows. The plant naturally forms a dense, rounded mound of deep green foliage that stays compact through the entire bloom cycle. 

Older Shasta Daisy varieties often had a tendency to stretch, lean, or open up as the season progressed, particularly after rainstorms. ‘Snowcap’ behaves very differently. It holds its shape beautifully, keeping that low, full mound that makes it incredibly easy to place throughout the garden. Because of its size and structure, I often think of ‘Snowcap’ as one of the most flexible Shasta Daisies you can plant. It works perfectly along garden paths, at the front of perennial borders, or in smaller beds where taller daisies would feel out of scale. It’s also a great option for larger containers or raised beds where a tidy plant structure makes a big difference visually.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

‘Snowcap’ has proven to be one of the most dependable compact Shasta Daisies we’ve grown in our trial beds. The plants developed dense, uniform clumps that stayed upright and balanced without any need for staking. That’s something I always watch closely with daisies because some compact varieties can still open up or thin out as the season progresses. In our trials, ‘Snowcap’ maintained its shape beautifully from the first buds through the main bloom cycle. The plants stayed dense and well structured, and the flowers were evenly distributed across the plant instead of appearing only on a few taller stems. That gave the clumps a fuller look in the garden, especially when several plants were grouped together.

We also tested ‘Snowcap’ in a few different planting situations around the garden center. It looked fantastic planted in small groups along the front edge of borders, where the compact habit created a neat, polished line of blooms. At the same time, it performed just as well in containers where its rounded shape and manageable size made it easy to combine with other plants. The plants stayed uniform, the flowers remained bright, and the overall habit stayed tidy without any extra work. For gardeners who love the traditional Shasta Daisy look but want something compact, well behaved, and easy to manage, ‘Snowcap’ continues to be one of the most dependable choices we grow.

Snowcap vs. Other Shasta Daisies

Snowcap is a compact and controlled Shasta Daisy, designed for tight spaces and front-of-border use. Compared to ‘Madonna’, Snowcap stays lower and more mound-like, trading height for density and uniform shape. Snowcap’s strength is consistency; it stays neat through bloom, rain, and summer heat with very little intervention. When set beside ‘Becky’, the contrast is dramatic—Snowcap disappears into the foreground while Becky towers behind it. While it doesn’t offer the cutting stems or bold presence of the taller varieties, it excels where order and scale matter. I choose ‘Snowcap’ when space is limited and I still want that unmistakable Shasta Daisy look.

Compared to Real Sunbeam, which is bred for nonstop flowering and a brighter, more modern presentation, Snowcap stays lower and focuses more on tidy form than sheer bloom power. Real Sunbeam tends to push color continuously, while Snowcap delivers a more traditional early-summer daisy display with optional light rebloom. When set next to Marshmallow, Snowcap feels simpler and more classic, whereas Marshmallow offers fuller, more decorative blooms and a slightly more robust habit. I reach for Snowcap when I need clean edges, tight spaces, or front-of-border control, rather than maximum flower impact.