Chrysanthemum carinatum (Painted Daisy)

Adding a riot of color to the garden, Chrysanthemum carinatum (Painted Daisy) is a compact, bushy annual valued for its charming floral display. From mid-summer to fall, it boasts a profusion of flat, multicolored, daisy-like flowers up to 3 in. wide (7 cm). Each blossom usually features a single row of ray flowers surrounding a dark reddish brown to nearly black center disk. The ray flowers display 2, 3, or more rings of colors in shades of whites, pinks, reds, rusts, yellows, oranges, browns, and purples. The blossoms are borne just above the aromatic foliage of divided, fern-like, dark-green leaves. Cultivated for its edible young shoots in China, Painted Daisy looks great when used in a mass planting. A lovely choice for borders, flower beds, or containers, its long-lasting flowers are also excellent in fresh-cut arrangements.

• Grows up to 12-24 in. tall and wide (30-60 cm).
• Thrives in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or light shade in a sheltered position. Water freely in dry weather.
• Excellent choice for beds and borders, cottage gardens, or containers. Plant in small groups for better visual impact.
• Keep an eye out for aphids, capsid bugs, earwigs, eelworms, leaf-mining sawflies, powdery mildew, and gray mold.
• Low maintenance, this plant requires no deadheading. Pinch out the growing tip when the plant is young to promote bushiness.
• Propagate by seed sown in situ in spring or by softwood cuttings.
• All or parts of this plant are poisonous.
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
• Native to North Africa.