Anthemis tinctoria ‘E.C.Buxton’
There are around 100 mat or clump-forming species in the genus Anthemis.
They make very useful border plants, with a long flowering season from late spring – end of summer.
Most grow between 30 -60 cms high and have a similar spread.
Beautiful filigree, aromatic evergreen foliage when not in flower.
Smaller types suitable for rock gardens.
Flower heads are daisy-like; with white or yellow ray florets or yellow disc florets- some make good cut flowers.
Though many species are not long lived (A. tinctoria especially so), they are all easily propagated from seed or cuttings.
The plant’s life can be extended by shearing over in autumn just after flowering – this encourages new basal growth which takes the plant through the winter. Shearing also helps to prevent mildew.
They need sunny, well-drained sites and wet winters are generally not favourable.
They do not transplant well, but should anyway be divided regularly in spring.
Anthemis maritima
The orangey- yellow varieties look well woven in and out of mixed borders, and complement warmer coloured flowers; e.g. Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’, Dahlias, Hemerocallis etc. The yellow varieties look well with blue flowers such as Nepeta or Agapanthus. The pale lemon variety ‘E.C. Buxton’ (or ‘Golden Marguerite’- one of my favourites) works well with wispy grasses such as Stipa tenuissima and the darker Lavenders (e.g. ‘Hidcote’).
Further information:
How to grow Anthemis- Telegraph article
Anthemis marschalliana– silver foliage
Quizzicals: answers to the two in the post ‘Gypsies, tramps and thieves…’
- The scourge of female chickens – Henbane
- Cheap goods in a pile of dung – Potato
Old School Gardener
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