Attract more butterflies to your garden with painted daisy, a long-blooming, deer-resistant perennial.
The plant initially blooms in early summer and continues blossoming sporadically until the first frost.
The sweet, colorful flowers attract butterflies, making painted daisies a must inpollinator gardens, too.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Painted daisy is toxic to humans and pets.
Where to Plant Painted Daisy
Painted daisy is a pollinator-friendly plant that suits butterfly gardens andcottage gardens.
The soil should be well-drained and slightly acidic to neutral.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Sow seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last spring frost.
Ever so slightly cover the seeds, as they need light to germinate.
Keep the soil evenly moist.
Credit: King Au
Seedlings will emerge in about two to three weeks.
Painted Daisy Care Tips
When grown in suitable conditions, painted daisy is a carefree plant.
Light
Full sunis a must for painted daisies grown in northern climates.
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
Morning sun and afternoon shade are preferable light conditions in locations with hot summers.
Soil and Water
Painted daisy is generally unfussy about soil texture but grows poorly in heavy clay.
The perennial tolerates a range ofsoil pH levels, although between 5.2 and 7.0 is ideal.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Excellent drainage, however, is a must.
Established plants only need watering during extended dry periods, but painted daisy can survive dry spells.
It does not do well in extremely hot summers or climates with high humidity.
Credit: Bob Stefko
Fertilizer
Fertilize painted daisy in early spring when new growth starts.
Use a bloom-boosting slow-release fertilizerhigh in phosphorus, such as 5-10-5.
A second fertilizer tool after the first bloom helps extend the plants bloom period.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Pinching will encourage plants to form side branches, adding strength and flowering potential to the stems.
Snip spent blooms after the plants first flush of flowers in spring.
Continue removing spent flowers throughout the season to spur the painted daisy to create new blossoms.
Credit: Jay Wilde
Potting and Repotting
When planting painted daisy in containers, select a small cultivar.
Use a pot with large drainage holes and fill it with a well-drainingpotting mix.
Keep in mind that potted plants need more frequent watering and fertilizer than plants in the landscape.
Painted daisy is also deer-resistant.
How to Propagate Painted Daisy
Like many other perennials, you could propagate painted daisyby division.
Dig up the clump in early spring or late fall.
Replant the divisions at the same depth as the original plant.
Water well after planting.
It grows 2 to 3 feet tall in Zones 3-7.
Feverfew
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)is another popularTanacetumspecies.
It bears daisy-like flowers throughout the summer and grows 2 feet tall.
Feverfew thrives in Zones 4-9.
Double Feverfew
Tanacetum partheniumPlenum is a double form of common feverfew.
It bears clusters of white flowers with numerous petals all summer long.
It grows 2 feet tall in Zones 4-9.
Tansy
Tanacetum vulgareis a vigorous perennial that tolerates almost any kind of soil.
It grows best in full sun but tolerates part shade.
Tansy bears button-like yellow flowers that attract butterflies on its deep green foliage in mid-to-late summer.
The plant grows 3 to 4 feet tall in Zones 4-9.
Golden Tansy
Tanacetum vulgareIsla Gold shines in perennial borders with fern-like golden foliage.
This variety grows 2 to 3 feet tall in Zones 4-9.
Closely related toborage, blue bugloss has airy bloom spikes in late spring.
Balloon Flower
The inflated buds ofballoon flowersmake great cut flowers.
Phlox
Phloxis one of those bounteous summer flowers any large sunny flowerbed or border shouldnt be without.
There are several different kinds of phlox.
Garden and meadow phlox produce large panicles of fragrant flowers in many colors.
The plant also adds height, heft, and charm to a border.
Low-growing wild Sweet William, moss pinks, and creeping phlox are effective as ground covers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Painted daisy is native in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and Iran.
In addition to being deer-resistant and attracting butterflies, painted daisy foliage contains pyrethrins.
These pesticides occur naturally in members of theTanacetumgenus and are found in over 2,000 registered pesticide products.
So, painted daisy is a plant with its very own pest repellant.
Painted daisies bloom from late spring to early summer.
If youdeadhead the blooms promptly, the plant may produce another set of blooms in late summer.
Updated by Nadia Hassani
“Tanacetum coccineum.
“NC State Cooperative Extension.
