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Tanacetum parthenium

Image of Tanacetum parthenium

Gerald L. Klingaman

Family

Asteraceae

Botanical Name

Tanacetum parthenium

Plant Common Name

Feverfew

General Description

Grown for its small white daisies and pungently scented feathery foliage, feverfew is a short-lived self-sowing perennial that has long been popular as a garden ornamental. It was also used in Old Europe as a medicinal herb to relieve fever symptoms, headaches and arthritis. Some still use it as a natural herbal medicine today. Native to Europe and the Caucasus, its propensity to quickly spread by seed has made it a common roadside weed in temperate regions worldwide.

Ferny, deeply lobed, bright green leaves clothe the dense, mounded feverfew. The brushed or bruised foliage releases a strong acrid spicy scent. Clusters of tiny white daisies with golden centers are held above the leaves in summer. Flowering will often continue into early fall. Bees and butterflies pollinate the blooms and the resulting seeds scatter in the wind to colonize new ground.

Grow feverfew in full to partial sun and average well-drained soil that is not overly moist. Deadhead plants to prolong bloom and prevent self-sowing. Feverfew makes a pretty, albeit weedy, filler for cottage borders, perennial beds, and shrub plantings.

Several feverfew varieties have gained popularity including double-flowered 'Plenum', 'Ultra Double White', and 'Sissinghurst.’ Double-flowered forms are also sterile, or non-seed producing, making them non-weedy selections better suited for the garden. Other popular forms include the compact 'Santana' and 'Tom Thumb White Stars' and yellow-leaved 'Aureum' ('Golden Feather') and 'Golden Moss.'

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    9 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    5 - 8

  • Sunset Zone

    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Perennial

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    12"-18" / 30.5cm - 45.7cm

  • Width

    18"-24" / 45.7cm - 61.0cm

  • Bloom Time

    Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall

  • Native To

    Europe, Western Asia

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam, Sand

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant, Average Water

  • Habit

    Cushion/Mound-forming

  • Seasonal Interest

    Summer, Fall

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White, Yellow

  • Flower Color Modifier

    Bicolor

  • Fruit Color

    Brown

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Light Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green, Light Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green, Light Green, Yellow Green

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    Yes

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    Yes

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Fine

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    No

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Cutflower, Herb / Vegetable, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Wildflower

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    Sometimes

  • Attracts

    Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes