Argyranthemum foeniculaceum (21/09/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun
Flowering period: Spring to early summer
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 60 cm
Eventual Spread: 60cm
Hardiness: 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
Family: Asteraceae
Argyranthemum foeniculaceum is an evergreen herbaceous perennial with a bushy habit. Its green/ gray leaves are obovate in outline, deeply 2 or 3 pinnately lobed and up to 10cm long. Its white flowers are daisy like with yellow centres and up to 5cm across. Its fruit is an achene and up to 6mm long.
Argyranthemum foeniculaceum Flower (21/09/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Argyranthemum foeniculaceum, commonly known as Tenerife daisy, Dill Daisy, Marguerite or Lance Leaf Marguerite, is native to the Canary Islands. In its native habitat it grows on dry cliffs. Argyranthemum foeniculaceum is synonymous with Chrysanthemum foeniculaceum. This perennial is considered a weed in parts of Australia.
The etymological root of the binomial name Argyranthemum is derived from the Greek argyros meaning ‘silver and anthemom meaning ‘plant flower’. Foeniculaceum is derive from the Latin meaning ‘similar to Foeniculum’.
The landscape architect may find Argyranthemum foeniculaceum useful as an evergreen herbaceous perennial with a long flowering period. Once established this perennial is drought tolerant.
Ecologically, Argyranthemum foeniculaceum flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.
The Royal Horticultural Society has given the variety Argyranthemum foeniculaceum ‘Royal Haze’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
Argyranthemum foeniculaceum Leaf (21/09/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Argyranthemum foeniculaceum prefers moist, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It dislikes wet soils.
Argyranthemum foeniculaceum requires little maintenance. The removal of dead flowers will prolong the flowering season.
