Anthemis tinctoria (Golden Marguerite)

Garden Design with Golden Marguerite

Anthemis tinctoria, with its bright, daisy-like blooms and finely dissected, fern-like foliage, can serve multiple purposes in a garden design. Here are some ways to incorporate it into your garden:

Perennial Borders: Due to its medium size, long blooming period, and vibrant flowers, Anthemis tinctoria is an excellent choice for perennial borders. Plant it alongside other perennials that bloom at different times for a continuous display of color throughout the growing season. The vibrant yellow flowers of Anthemis tinctoria can be used to brighten up a garden area, contrast with plants with darker foliage, or complement other yellow, white, or blue-flowering plants.

Cottage Gardens: This plant’s slightly untidy growth habit and colorful, cheerful flowers fit well into the relaxed, informal style of cottage gardens. Mix it with other traditional cottage garden plants like roses, delphiniums, and hollyhocks.

Rock Gardens: Anthemis tinctoria’s ability to tolerate poor, well-drained soil makes it suitable for rock gardens. Its vibrant flowers can provide a striking contrast against the stones.

Pollinator Gardens: If you’re designing a garden to attract pollinators, consider including Anthemis tinctoria. Its bright, open flowers are a magnet for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.

Mixed with Grasses: The feathery foliage of Anthemis tinctoria contrasts nicely with the linear leaves of ornamental grasses. Try planting it alongside species like switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) or fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides).

Containers: Given its moderate size, Anthemis tinctoria can also be grown in containers. This can be especially effective if the container is elevated, allowing the plant’s sprawling habit to be fully appreciated.

Remember, Anthemis tinctoria prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It’s also a good idea to give it plenty of room to spread. When planning your garden, consider these needs to ensure the plant will thrive.

Companion Plants

When designing a garden, choosing the right companion plants is important to create a harmonious look and promote plant health. Here are some good companion plants for Anthemis tinctoria:

Salvia: Salvia, with its tall, spiky flowers, can provide a striking contrast to the daisy-like blooms of Anthemis tinctoria. The blue or purple flowers of many salvia species also complement the yellow of Anthemis tinctoria beautifully.

Lavender: The silvery foliage and purple flowers of lavender can create a striking color contrast when planted next to Anthemis tinctoria. Both plants also enjoy similar growing conditions, preferring full sun and well-drained soil.

Russian Sage: This plant’s silvery foliage and blue flowers can contrast and highlight the bright yellow flowers of Anthemis tinctoria. Russian sage is also taller, adding some vertical interest to the garden.

Echinacea (Coneflower): Echinacea, especially the traditional purple varieties, can look beautiful alongside Anthemis tinctoria. Both plants are perennials that attract pollinators, enhancing the biodiversity in your garden.

Ornamental Grasses: Grasses such as blue fescue or switchgrass can provide a texture contrast to the feathery foliage of Anthemis tinctoria. The movement of grasses in the wind also adds a dynamic element to the garden.

Coreopsis: Coreopsis has a similar daisy-like appearance but with red, pink or bicolor flowers that can provide a nice contrast or complement to the yellow of Anthemis tinctoria.

Sedum: Low-growing sedums can be a good groundcover choice to grow around Anthemis tinctoria. The succulent-like leaves of sedum contrast nicely with the feathery foliage of the chamomile, and many sedums bear flowers that attract pollinators.

Achillea (Yarrow): Yarrow’s feathery foliage and flat-topped flower clusters can provide an interesting texture contrast to the rounded blooms and foliage of Anthemis tinctoria. Plus, many yarrows have flowers in shades of yellow, orange, pink, or red, which can either complement or contrast with the yellow of Anthemis tinctoria.

Agastache (Hyssop): Agastache species often have tall, spiky flowers in shades of purple, pink, and orange, which can provide a nice contrast to the daisy-like blooms of Anthemis tinctoria. Both plants are also excellent for attracting pollinators.

Crocosmia: Crocosmia’s sword-like foliage and arching stems of red, orange, or yellow flowers can add a dramatic touch to the garden and contrast nicely with the form and color of Anthemis tinctoria. Crocosmia blooms a bit later in the summer, helping to extend the season of interest.

Eryngium (Sea Holly): With its spiky blue or silver flowers and thistle-like appearance, sea holly can provide a stunning contrast to Anthemis tinctoria. The blue color of many Eryngium species pairs well with the yellow flowers of Anthemis.

Allium (Ornamental Onion): Alliums, with their round flower heads held high on sturdy stems, offer a striking contrast to the low, daisy-like flowers of Anthemis tinctoria. The purple or white flowers of most alliums also complement the yellow blooms of Anthemis tinctoria nicely.

When selecting companion plants, remember to consider their growing requirements to ensure they’re compatible. Most of these companions prefer full sun and well-drained soil, much like Anthemis tinctoria.

Growing Tips

Growing Anthemis tinctoria is quite straightforward. Here are the steps you should follow:

Select the Right Site: Anthemis tinctoria prefers full sun, so choose a spot in your garden that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. The plant can tolerate partial shade, but full sun will result in more abundant, vibrant blooms.

Prepare the Soil: This plant prefers well-drained soil. If your soil is heavy clay or frequently waterlogged, consider amending it with compost or sand to improve its texture and drainage. Anthemis tinctoria is a good choice for areas of the garden that are dry or of low fertility.​ The more fertile and the more it is watered, the more this plant will sprawl.

Planting: Plant Anthemis tinctoria in the spring or fall. Dig a hole that’s twice as wide and about as deep as the root ball of your plant. Place the plant in the hole, making sure the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. Fill the hole with soil, firming it gently around the base of the plant.

Watering: Water the plant thoroughly after planting, and continue to provide water whenever the top inch of soil dries out. Once established, Anthemis tinctoria is moderately drought-tolerant, but it will perform best with consistent moisture.

Care and Maintenance: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming throughout the season. This will also It will also prevent self-seeding. In early spring, cut back the plant to promote bushy growth.

Division: Anthemis tinctoria can be divided every 2-3 years in early spring or fall to maintain its vigor and prevent overcrowding. Simply dig up the plant, separate it into smaller sections, and replant these at the original soil level.

Watch Out for Pests and Diseases: While Anthemis tinctoria is generally pest-resistant, it can be affected by common garden pests such as aphids, slugs, and snails. Regularly check the plant for signs of pest activity and treat as necessary. The plant is also relatively disease-resistant, but ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases such as powdery mildew.

Remember, while Anthemis tinctoria is a hardy and relatively low-maintenance plant, it will benefit from regular care and attention. Providing the right growing conditions and timely maintenance can result in a healthier plant with more abundant blooms.