Family: Asteraceae

This genus comprises about 100 species native to Europe, the Mediterranean and western Asia. These small, herb-like, perennial plants provide a dazzling display in rockeries and borders. They have strongly scented, feathery leaves and single, daisy-like flowers that last well when cut. If they are not allowed to flower, they can also be used to cover dry banks. Some are very vigorous.

Species

A. cretica subsp. cretica is a greenish gray cushion of foliage to 25 cm (10 in) high, with white daisy-like flowers 4 cm (1½ in) in diameter.

A. marschalliana has neat cushions of finely cut silvery leaves to 20 cm (8 in) high and 3 cm (1¼ in) bright yellow flowers on delicate stems.

A. tinctoria, dyer's chamomile, grows to 50 cm (20 in) in mound-like clumps. Masses of golden flowers appear on stiff stems above the crinkled, fern-like foliage during spring. Cultivars, such as 'Wargrave', provide blooms in varying shades of yellow.

Cultivation

These plants are extremely easy to grow in ordinary, well-drained garden soil if positioned in full sun. Propagate from short tip cuttings at almost any time of the year. Plants can be divided in late winter.

Climate

Zone 6 and above.