Description
Anthemis tinctoria (Cota tinctoria)| Dyers Chamomile ‘Yellow Wild Form’
Dyer’s Chamomile, Ox-Eye Chamomile, Wild Yellow Chamomile, or Golden Marguerite Daisy, is a hardy, free-flowering, herbaceous, short-lived perennial. It is a sprawling 30 inch tall daisy-type plant with large, fragrant, lemon-yellow daisies used for tea or to dye wool., hence the name ‘Dyers’. The foliage is low lying, evergreen, and fern like/feathery, which adds nice texture to the garden.
Plants will grow in all types of soil including poor soils with low nutrients, but as with most plants, would benefit from some fertilizer. Dyers Chamomile can withstand drought, but regular watering in hot dry weather will ensure rapid growth and abundant blooms. Low maintenance.
The first year plants come into bloom mid summer and flower until late September. Towards the end of Autumn the plants start to look straggly and untidy. If the plants are cut back close to the ground before the flowering finishes, they will produce some new growth before the growing season ends, which helps the plants to overwinter. In the second year the plants will flower early, from June to August. Regular deadheading will encourage new flowers to bud. Produces massive amounts of seeds due to the sheer amount of blooms this has during the flowering season.
Dyer’s Chamomile is not a strong bee or butterfly plant, but does attract quite a few more uncommon insects like solitary bee and fly-type pollinators.
Used extensively for creating dyes, makes a great cut flower for bouquets, plus dries well for use in dried arrangements and wreaths, etc.
Type: Perennial
Sun exposure: Full sun
Mature height: 3 ft
Mature width: 2-3 ft
Hardiness zones: 3- 9