Feverfew (matricaria) (was "Magazine" flowerbed)
At 10:36 AM 6/21/98 -0700, Anne (in Chicago) wrote:
>I agree! Getting some things in with excellent foliage really helps a
>new bed. Along with irises I use one or two big hostas in corners (even
>if I move them later), some clumps of heuchera (purple or bronze kinds
>add color even when flowers aren't present), lots of feverfew (that
>ferny foliage is a great filler and those little white flowers are a
>great background for other splashier things). In a sunny bed, Nepetas
>are fast growing and zinnias and snapdragons fill in nicely. In a
>shadier area, many astilbes are fast growing, along with ferns, and
>adenophora, which sprang up last year to almost full size right after
>planting, and bloomed very well. Clumps of lilies can also help make a
>new bed look more established.
I _love_ feverfew (matricaria, formerly Chrysanthemum parthenium). I have
at least 4 or 5 types in my garden right now, and wonder how many kinds
there are (not to mention wishing I knew what mine are called).
#1 has petals and center colored and proportioned just like a field daisy.
This one is my tallest. The flower is sort of two-dimensional, like a daisy.
#2, perhaps at the other extreme, has a huge white center and tiny white
petals, almost reflexed. The petals do not overlap, and there are more
than with the first type. Very much 3-D. I have a seed packet from
Plantation Products whose photo resembles these.
#3 is a slight variation on the second that seems to have some green in the
center of the center. Also 3-D
#4 has many more petals, and they overlap each other, but all seem to start
at the edge of the center. Seems two-dimensional
#5 also has many more petals, but they seem to be in several layers, all
laying flat. Two dimensional
#6, very fine looking, seems has many layers of petals, but also seems to
be sort of 3-D. I have a seed packet (as yet unopened) from Shepherds,
called Feverfew 'White Wonder' whose drawing resembles this flower.
#7 is a gold one, which doesn't do well for me, but is actually returning
(or growing from self-seeding). As I recall, it is all center. (I have a
seed packet that says "Golden Ball" (Johnsons Seeds) that looks fairly
similar, though my flowers don't seem as large as the picture.
The leaves on all these are similar, though seen side by side, some are
lacier than others. But seeing the foliage I can seldom predict which
flower I will get until it blooms.
Does anyone know where I can get more information about these? They are
nice garden material, wonderful bouquet filler, self seed well, especially
#5. Unless they choose a really bad spot to volunteer, I tend to let them
grow.
Wyn Achenbaum
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