UT Gardens' Plant of the Month:
Golden Marguerite

Submitted by Beth Willis


Golden Marguerite, or Anthemis tinctoria 'Kelwayi', is a hardy perennial native to the Mediterranean. A member of the aster family, Golden Marguerite sports flowers similar to those of a daisy or chamomile. Its vivid yellow blooms, paired with its feathery silver foliage, make it a showstopper in the garden. Because Golden Marguerite doesn't require a lot of care, every gardener should consider adding it to his or her collection.

Golden Marguerite reaches a height of 2-3 feet and has a clumping growth habit. It blooms in late spring, and each clump is covered with masses of bright yellow flowers with yellow centers. Cutting back the plant as blooms fade will encourage new growth and extend the bloom time into the fall. Golden Marguerite has attractive, delicate foliage that belies the plant's sturdy nature.

Another common name for Golden Marguerite is Dyer's Chamomile, which hints at the plant's herbal use. The flowers can produce a yellow dye, and the plant is sometimes cultivated for the dye. The plant has also been used medicinally; when rubbed onto the skin its leaves can relieve the sting of insect bites.

Hardy to zone 3, Golden Marguerite should be planted where it will receive six or more hours of sun each day. It is not particular about soil, but prefers a well-drained site. Established plants are drought tolerant. Suitable for perennial beds, Golden Marguerite is also at home in rock gardens or xeriscape ("water wise") beds. If grown in very rich soil or in shade, Golden Marguerite can become leggy and flop out from the center, but cutting it back and staking can help prevent that problem. Dividing the plant every two years will revitalize it and keep it blooming at its peak.

Although Kelwayi is the most commonly used variety of Golden Marguerite, several cultivars are commercially available. 'Susan Mitchell', or the Marguerite Daisy, has white flowers with a yellow center and grows to a maximum height of 2 feet. 'Charme', Dwarf Golden Marguerite, grows to only 18 inches. These cultivars have the same cultural requirements as the Kelwayi variety.

Golden Marguerite can be propagated by seed, division, or cuttings. It will reseed itself in the garden, or seed can be collected from the plant. Collected seed should be thoroughly dried, stored in a cool, dry place, and then planted in the spring. Division can be carried out in the spring or the fall, while cuttings are best started in early summer from new growth.

Beth Willis is a graduate student in the University of Tennessee Department of Plant Sciences. She works under the guidance of Dr. Susan Hamilton, director of the UT Gardens. The UT Gardens are a project of the Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station. The original gardens are located in Knoxville on Neyland Drive. Additional gardens are located in Jackson on Airways Blvd. Admission is free, and the Gardens are open to the public seven days a week during daylight hours.

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Contact:

Patricia McDaniels, UTIA Marketing and Communications, (865) 974-7141