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Cut-leaf Daisy Engelmannia peristenia

Previously known as:

  • Engelmannia pinnatifida
Phonetic Spelling
en-gel-MAN-ee-uh pair-ih-STEEN-ee-uh
Description

Named after George Engelmann, Engelmann's Daisy is a perennial in the aster family with showy yellow flowers and stout stems that give it an upright habit. Mr. Engelmann was born in Germany and later settled in Missouri.  Upon his death in 1884, much of his collection of plants were donated to the Missouri Botanical Garden.  

This south-central North America native is found along roadsides and can be quite drought-resistant due to its deep tap root. This daisy is native to the south-central USA, primarily in TX and surrounding states east to Louisiana and north to southern Colorado. It grows up to 3 feet tall and blooms from March to July or longer with yellow flower heads that attract butterflies and bees. Deer, rabbits and livestock enjoy munching on the leaves as they are high in protein.

Use this plant in well-drained medium to dry soil in the front or mid-border or in a meadow or naturalized area. If the plant begins to look sad in the summer, cut it back, and it will usually bloom again. It is tolerant of full sun to dappled sun conditions.  The clusters of flowers open in the late afternoon, remaining open until the next day, when the heat and sun will cause the flowers to fold up into themselves.  

Cutting back in the later part of the summer may promote fall blooms.

Its deep taproot makes this a good choice when planting for the prevention or control of erosion.  This taproot also makes timing crucial when transplanting.  Winter is the best choice.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems

See this plant in the following landscape:
Colorful Borders
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Bergheim'
    Deep yellow flowers
'Bergheim'
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#yellow flowers#native perennial#erosion control#deer browsing plant#long bloom time#self-seeding#native annual#flowers late spring#flowers early spring#flowers midsummer#poor soils tolerant#flowers early summer#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#rabbit browsing plant#wet soils intolerant#shade intolerant#showy#flowers midspring#butterfly garden#livestock browsing plant#xeric#wildlife friendly#meadow
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Bergheim'
    Deep yellow flowers
'Bergheim'
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#yellow flowers#native perennial#erosion control#deer browsing plant#long bloom time#self-seeding#native annual#flowers late spring#flowers early spring#flowers midsummer#poor soils tolerant#flowers early summer#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#rabbit browsing plant#wet soils intolerant#shade intolerant#showy#flowers midspring#butterfly garden#livestock browsing plant#xeric#wildlife friendly#meadow
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Engelmannia
    Species:
    peristenia
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Used in pastures for feeding livestock. Also used on banks for erosion control.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central U.S.A. to Mexico
    Distribution:
    Ariz., Ark., Colo., Kans., Mo., Nebr., N.Mex., Okla., S.Dak., Tex, Mexico
    Wildlife Value:
    Birds enjoy the seeds. Nectar attracts bees and butterflies.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Wildlife Food Source
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Description:
    2-valved achene. May have white hairs
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    8 petaled yellow ray flowers with 40-50 center disc flowers are 1-1 1/2" across early spring through mid-summer or longer. They tend to open around noon and bloom through the night. As they fade in the heat of the day the petals will curl under.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Velvety
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Toothed or lobed fuzzy leaves are mostly basal and form a rosette. Leaves can be up to 1-foot long and get smaller and fewer as they grow up the stem
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Multi-stemmed, stout, branched, erect plant with hairs.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Slope/Bank
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Children's Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Nighttime Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Heat
    Poor Soil