Melampodium leucanthum

Blackfoot Daisy is a low, bushy, rounded and erect, long-blooming perennial wildflower in the daisy family. It is a sturdy, mounding plant that will flourish in rock gardens and grow up to 12 inches tall and twice as wide. It has narrow, grayish-green leaves and blooms in the summer with uniform white flowers that last until frost.

This plant requires full sun and needs to be planted deep in soil. It is heat and drought tolerant, and tolerant of nutritionally poor soils. It is a low water use plant. Good drainage is essential. You can cut the plant back to half its size in late winter to keep it compact. You can also increase flower production with rich soil and abundant water, but this will likely shorten the lifespan of the plant. This plant has a taproot and, thus, is not subject to propagation by division.

Along with rock gardens, this plant can also be utilized in mass planting, borders, or in the middle of flower beds. It does not require deadheading to continue producing flowers, but deadheading will tend to limit self-seeding. Note that birds are also attracted to the seeds.

At first glance, Blackfoot Daisy appears to be the twin of White Zinnia (Zinnia acerosa), but flower heads of the latter species have 4 to 7 broad white rays and a narrow base of several overlapping scales. 

Quick ID Hints:

• Erect herb with white flowers in heads
• Heads with single row ray flowers
• Peduncle with 2 rows of erect white hairs

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No known diseases or insect pests. It is susceptible to powdery mildew in hot, humid environments.