Description
Tanacetum parthenium (Chrysanthemum Parthenium or Matricaria parthenium) | Feverfew ‘Selma Star’
Feverfew ‘Selma Star’, also known as featherfew, altamisa, featherfoil, febrifuge plant, midsummer daisy, Santa Maria, wild chamomile, wild quinine, federfoy, flirtwort, European feverfew, feather-fully, feddygen, flirtroot, and grande chamomile, is a perennial old cottage garden herb that forms mounds of ferny, light-green foliage and masses of creamy-white, button-shaped, disproportionately large flower heads that bloom through the summer with more blooms in autumn. The foliage has a unique citrus and camphor scent that repels some insects like mosquitos and flies, while attracting others like hoverflies and butterflies. For this reason, it is sometimes planted as a deterrent-plant to ward off certain pests. Will grow just about anywhere in full sun to part shade. Long lasting and hardy in the garden.
Will self-sow. Deadhead to prevent self-seeding. Deer and rabbit resistant.
Leaves have been used for centuries for fevers, migraines, arthritis, stomach aches, and to lower temperature and cool the body.
You can cut whole flower heads to fill a vase, where they last for ages. The dried flowers can be used in flower arrangements.
Type: Perennial
Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
Mature height: 18 inches
Mature width: 18 inches
Hardiness zones: 5-9