The Tanacetum pathenium is commonly named feverfew and is native to Greece, Turkey and the Caucasus. The Tanacetum pathenium is a genus from the Compositae or Asteraceae family. Other synonyms used for Tanacetum pathenium are Chrysanthemum pathenium and Pyrethrum pathenium.
The inflorescence is daisy-like and also like Chamomile. The smell of the leaves also remind you of Chamomile, but the leaves of Chamomile are thinner and more divided and the inflorescence is rounder.
The inflorescence looks like one flower but it is actually a cluster of many small flowers. The yellow hart of the inflorescence consists of tubular florets (disc florets) and the white part consists of ray florets. In my garden I have feverfew with flower heads that are almost completely filled with white ray florets. There are also plants of which the inflorescence consists of more yellow disc florets. The inflorescence is very suitable as cut flower.
The feverfew has a sturdy branched stem and depending on the Tanacetum pathenium is positioned it grows up to about 12 to 32 inches (30 to 80 cm) tall.
Because feverfew is used as a medicine for several conditions it is widely spread across the world. And because the Tanacetum pathenium rapidly spreads by seed it is found in many places.
If you leave the spent flowers the seeds will spread and cover your garden fast. However the plants are easily removed or moved so they are not necessarily a big problem. In general this is a short lived plant but because of the many seedlings he will remain present in your garden. Often this is called a perennial but in my garden they only live for one year. This is why I filled in “annual” at characteristics in the specifications.
The Tanacetum pathenium is a very easy undemanding plant that blooms long and abundantly which makes it an asset to your garden. The feverfew is very drought tolerant.
Attracts bees: no
Characteristic: annual
Deer resistant: yes
Exposure: sun/ part shade
Flower color: white
Flowering time: June – October
Foliage color: green
Fragrant flower: yes
Hardiness: -30 ºC (-22 F)
Height: 32 inches (80 cm)
Soil: normal