Flowers

Feverfew is a lovely bloom that has many hardheaded uses in the garden . It make a great companion and is fair low upkeep . In this clause , horticulture expert Logan Hailey shares everything you need to make out about produce feverfew in your garden this time of year !

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feverfew

The dazzling hoi polloi of aromatic lily-livered and blank peak atop frilly verdant leaf make feverfew one of the most beautiful ornamentals you’re able to acquire . This chamomile - await - alike is a popular wild flower related to daisy and tansies . It can be grown as a perennial in zones 5 - 10 and as an annual in stale region .

Beneficial predatory insects are magnetize to feverfew , making it one of the best companion plants to include in your vegetable garden .

The pungent , citrus - sweet-smelling foliage of course repels plague , while the dainty flowers attract hoverflies and tachinid fly . Moreover , this carefree herb does n’t ask for much maintenance and course re - seed every year .

Close-up of several Tanacetum parthenium flowers in focus, against a blurred background of other blooming flowers. The flowers are small, daisy-like, with a yellow center and small white petals. The flowers are shaped like buttons.

Let ’s dig into everything you need to experience about growing this entrance herb in your garden .

Plant Overview

Tanacetum partheniumL.

History and Cultivation

Feverfew has been cultivated for C as a medicinal and insectary plant . As ahead of time as the first one C , Greek physician Dioscorides prescribe feverfew as a cure for fever and inflammation . The plant has also been called “ featherfew ” because of its frilly , feathery leaves .

With solution in Central Asia , the Himalayan mountains , and southeastern Europe , feverfew has now spread around the world . I ’ve even mark it growing angry alongside wayside ditches throughout the United States ! This herbaceous plant ’s fascinating chronicle and easygoing attitude make it a no - brainer add-on to any garden .

What is Feverfew?

Feverfew is an herbaceous perennial plant with redolent foliage and daisy - like flowers that are used for landscaping , herbal remedy , flowered arrangements , and companion planting .

Its green parsley - determine leaves are a gorgeous backdrop to the yellow and clean composite peak . The plant grows as an attractive mounding shrub up to 36 ” improbable and 24 ” widely . It is a member of the Asteraceae family , closely related to daisies .

Are Feverfew and Chamomile the Same?

Feverfew is oftenconfused with chamomile(Matricaria chamomillaL. ) , but the two plants are distinct . Feverfew flowers are flat , less sapid , and more citrus - sweet-scented than camomile . While Chamaemelum nobilis is an annual , feverfew is a perennial .

To make affair more confusing , feverfew is erroneously often referred to as “ waste chamomile . ” Both plants are in the daisy sept and deal relatives like sunflowers , calendula , and marigolds .

Where Did Feverfew Get Its Name?

The name feverfew comes from the Latin wordfebrifuge , which means “ take febricity away . ” Also known asTanacetum partheniumL. , feverfew likely got its name from Greek doc who used it to treat fevers .

The genus nameTanacetummeans “ immortal ” and the species namepartheniumrefers to a legend that feverfew was used to save a construction worker who fell on his head while building the Parthenon temple in Athens .

Where Does Feverfew Originate?

Feverfew is aboriginal to the Balkan region of Southeastern Europe as well as Western Asia and part of the Himalayas . The herb has been wide cultivated in gardens and landscapes around the reality for thousands of twelvemonth .

In the mid-19th century , feverfew was make for to the United States , where it has now become naturalise in many areas . This Chamaemelum nobilis doppelganger can be found growing uncivilized in wayside ditches , grazing land , and hayfield throughout North America , Australia , Asia , North Africa , and Europe .

Propagation

Thanks to its wild flower nature , feverfew is insanely easy to grow from seed , cuttings , or root variance . Once established , the plant will readily self - sow and slowly spread via underground Caranx crysos . While feverfew is eager to spread , it is not typically invasive . Unwanted seedlings are easy to take out out .

How to Propagate Feverfew from Seed

For most nurseryman , the unspoilt fourth dimension to establish feverfew is in the bounce , as shortly as the soil can be worked . you’re able to also start the plant indoors and transplant seedling outside around the first frost .

Feverfew is jolly hardy once established , but it is cranky as a seedling . When I work on cut flower farms , we sometimes transpose Tanacetum parthenium in the fall to achieve longer stems andearlier blooms for spring bouquet . However , overwinter the supply ship recurrent plants require the extra labor of covering them with row fabric or planting in a nursery .

The ideal seeding date are :

Top view, close-up of flowering Feverfew plants in a flower bed. Feverfew flowers are small, daisy-like, with white petals surrounding a yellow center. The leaves are green and finely dissected, resembling small feathery fern leaves.

To turn the best feverfew seedling , call up to :

The most significant thing to remember when seed feverfew is : Do not cover the seeds!These tiny seeds require light to germinate and should be sow very shallowly . you’re able to use a mister or a very light current of water to preserve stain wet without disturb the seed emplacement .

If you are direct sowing outside , you could propagate the seeds into bare soil . This mimic nature ’s process for spread feverfew . Ensure that the area is good weeded to keep grasses or other plants from outcompeting the feverfew seedlings .

Close-up of pyrethrum flowers in a sunny garden. The plant has upright thin stems and small daisy-like flowers with round yellow centers surrounded by white petals.

Feverfew takes 7 - 14 days to germinate and enjoys a balmy soil temperature of around 70 ° F . However , it can stand cold when directly sown in the garden . A layer of row covering can help encourage more even germination in cold climate , but it usually is n’t necessary .

Keep feverfew ejaculate endlessly moist until the plants develop their first honest leaves . As long as seedlings receive 6 - 8 hr of direct sunlight , there is no need for a sprouting heat matte or artificial lighting .

you could transmit ( splash ) the seeds or sow a duo of seeds every 8 - 12 ” . Once plant educate their first dependable farewell , it is essential tothin the seedling to 1 flora every 8 - 12 ” . If grow as a perennial , it ’s unspoilt to give each flora about 12 ” of space in every way .

Close-up of pyrethrum flowers in a sunny garden against a blurred floral background. The flowers are small, grow in small lumpy inflorescences on the tops of vertical stems. The flowers are daisy-like in shape, with bright yellow button centers and white oval petals.

Overcrowded feverfew can lead to weak , unsightly plants . The individual slim plant will end up mound and bushing into each other to create an attractive uninterrupted display .

How to Grow Feverfew from Cuttings

Softwood thinning are another quick elbow room to start a feverfew spot . If you or a friend already has a prospering feverfew flora , you’re able to take a few bow clippings and settle down them to repeat the plant .

Feverfew cut root the best in warm soil , so a heating matte can increase your probability of success .

How to Divide Feverfew Plants

Due to theclumping nature of feverfew plants , they are very loose to divide . Division is as simple as digging up the industrial plant and turn off the rhizomatous crown into a few chunks . The steps are as fall out :

Planting

Feverfew is intimately engraft in the spring or early gloam . Sow seeds about 2 calendar week before your last frost . Alternatively , you’re able to split and transplant this herbaceous plant in the late summer or early gloaming . Be sure it has at least 4 - 6 hebdomad to get established before cold conditions sets in . In modest climates , feverfew overwinters well and provides supererogatory other flowers .

How to Transplant

Transplanting feverfew is as simple as any other garden herbaceous plant . Whether you start from a nursery plant life , homegrown seedling , cutting , or division , the process is the same :

blank feverfew implant 8 - 12 ” apart in rows 12 ” apart . The plants by nature like to form clumps .

How to Grow

Feverfew is as easy to arise as its doppelganger , chamomile . you could keep this herbaceous plant as an yearbook or a perennial with very little maintenance . imbed it in perimeter bed or naturalized areas where it can self - slow freely . The winder to happy Chrysanthemum parthenium are bright sunshine and loamy soil .

Light

Feverfew prefers full sunshine , but support fond tincture . plant grown in part shade may not flower as profusely or aromatically .

This herbaceous plant is a long - daytime works , which mean that the amount of sunshine directly impacts the unfolding bike . Plants typically start flower around the summer solstice when the day lengthen .

Because of its love for sunshine , indoor plants be given to get leggy and unhappy . Feverfew is also fairly hardy , so there is no reason to knock off your indoor grow distance . This herb will flourish in outdoor patio container .

Close-up side view of feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) blooming flowers. The plant has thin branched stems at the tops of which grow small daisy-like flowers. The flowers have white petals that surround a conspicuous yellow center made up of many tiny disc florets. Feverfew leaves have a unique shape and texture. They are deeply lobed, pinnate, and fern-like.

Water

Feverfew prefer consistently dampish soil . It does not tolerate long periods drought . The plant grows good in slimly damp soil that is never bone - juiceless nor too soggy .

If you do n’t get much summer pelting , it ’s best to mulch your feverfew plants with chopped leaf or a stratum of compost . You may require to irrigate 1 to 3 time per week during dry spells . territory with high amounts of organic matter requires less irrigation because it hold up onto wet .

Soil

Feverfew prefers light , flossy soil that is well - drained and regularly moist . Heavy clay soils want to be loosened with a broadfork or digging ramification and amended with rotted organic matter . flaxen soil will probably need compost or leaf mould to improve the pee keeping capacity .

A pH between 6.0 and 7.2 ensures proper mineral engrossment for this herb . If your territory is too acidic , amend with compost , limestone , or wood ash .

Climate and Temperature

Feverfew flourish in strong weather and fair weather . It can be grown as a perennial in geographical zone 5 through 10 , or an annual in cold zones . In its dormant DoS , a well - rooted plant can tolerate a whopping -20 ° F . During the summer , the herb prefers intimate temperature in the seventy and 80s .

seed germinate best when territory is around 70 ° degree Fahrenheit . Indoor sowing and transplanting tend to be best for thinned flower kind of feverfew . godforsaken types do n’t mind unmediated seeding after the chance of frost has passed .

Fertilizing

Feverfew enjoys a fertile soil that is copious in constituent topic . A tone compost should provide plenty of nutrient . In poor soils , you’re able to amend with small amounts of all - determination , sluggish - release fertilizer .

Like many herb , its best to avoid feeding gamey - nitrogen plant food . Too much nitrogen can cause the works to grow spare leaf with less flowers . Overfertilization also reduces the pleasant smell of the flowers .

Maintenance

apart from consistent irrigation , Chrysanthemum parthenium is comparatively maintenance - gratuitous . If growing Chrysanthemum parthenium as a perennial , you could cut it back to the earth after the first operose frost . The plant will reclaim in the spring with fresh , attractive unexampled maturation .

Feverfew is a self - seeding plant that can spread speedily in its optimum conditions . While it ’s unlikely to take over your garden , it may require some weeding . Unwanted seedlings are easy to pullout . ball should be divided annually to prevent them from get out - of - manus .

Varieties

Feverfew comes in several cultivars for different use and asesthetics :

Pests and Diseases

Feverfew is naturally live to coarse garden pests and diseases . The only way out you may have are aphid ( they seem to eat everything , do n’t they ? )

If you notice aphids crawl on this white and lily-livered mantrap , a operose stream of water can usually knock them off . In extreme infestations , make away affect flora component and treat the herbaceous plant with a diluted neem solution .

Frequently Asked Questions

Feverfew is a non - fussy herbaceous plant that is very loose to grow . This flower can easy be grow from cum , cutting , or division . Plant in an area with sight of sunlight and well - drained land .

Feverfew boom in orbit with full fair weather and loamy , well - enfeeble dirt . It can be found flourishing in wildflower fields and landscape leeway .

Feverfew ’s main drawback is its disposition to spread . This ego - seeding flora is not necessarily encroaching , but it can be aggressive when get in its optimum conditions . The just mode to contain feverfew is to remove spent flower heads and separate the plant life clumps every year . or else , plant feverfew in a cottage garden or naturalized domain on the borders of your landscape painting .

Top view, close-up of the seed heads of a Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) plant on a blurred green background. The plant has tall, upright, pale green stems and small, dark brown seed heads.

Final Thoughts

Now that you ’ve learned all you postulate to know about growing this lovely flower , all that ’s left is to start seeding or graft them into your garden . Fever few has many dissimilar uses , so adding it to your garden space will provide you with many different welfare .

A close-up of a woman’s hands making holes in a starter seed tray filled with soil. The starter tray is large, plastic, black, has small square deep cells filled with a moist soil mixture.

Close-up of cuttings of a feverfew plant on a white background. The plant has a thin pale green stem, several green lobed leaves and small flowers. The flowers are daisy-like, with dark orange disc-shaped centers surrounded by small oval white petals.

Close-up of a flower bed with flowering feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) plants in a sunny garden. The plant has upright stems covered with lobed, pinnate and fern-like leaves. The leaves are arranged alternately along the stems, and each leaf consists of several narrow leaflets extending from a central midrib. The leaflets are deeply serrated and have a slightly pubescent texture. The flowers are small, semi-double, with central yellow discs surrounded by several rows of white petals.

Close-up of female hands in green gloves transplanting feverfew plants in a flower bed. The plant has vertical thin stems covered with fern-like green leaves with deep lobes. The flowers are small, have white petals and yellow round centers.

Close-up of a flowering bed of Tanacetum parthenium under full sun. The plant has small, daisy-like flowers with white petals surrounding a yellow disc-shaped center. The leaves are bright green, deeply lobed, with a soft texture.

Close-up of several feverfew flowers with water drops, against a blurred green background. The flowers are small, fluffy, semi-double, composed of several layers of white oval petals surrounding an orange center.

Close-up of a young Tanacetum parthenium plant in a sunny garden. The plant is young, small, has a bushy shape. It consists of dense pinnate leaves and each leaf consists of several narrow leaflets extending from a central midrib. The leaflets are deeply serrated.

Close-up of feverfew plant (Tanacetum parthenium) flowers on a blurred green background. The flowers are small, daisy-like, with bright yellow centers, consisting of many tiny disc florets surrounded by small white petals. The petals are slightly flattened, creating a visually pleasing and symmetrical flower head.

Close-up of feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) flowering plant in the garden. The plant has many small daisy-like flowers with small oval white petals surrounding yellow button centers. The leaves are pinnate, fern-like, composed of narrow lobed leaflets.

Close-up of young plants (Tanacetum parthenium) in the garden. The plant has the form of a low bush with lush feathery foliage of bright green color. The leaves are pinnate with deep lobes, similar to fern or parsley leaves.

Close-up of the blooming flowers of ‘Ultra Double White’ Feverfew. The flowers of this variety are fully double, that is, they have several layers of petals, which gives them a lush and full appearance. The petals are pure white, small and densely packed, forming a dense and compact flower head with a central yellow disc. Double flowers resemble small fluffy pompoms.

Close-up of a Feverfew plant infested with black aphids in a sunny garden. The plant has an upright stem and feathery, fern-like green leaves with lobed leaflets. The stem is completely covered with black aphids. Aphids are tiny pests with black oval bodies.