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Pyrethrum Daisy Tanacetum coccineum subsp. coccineum

Previously known as:

  • Chrysanthemum coccineum
  • Chrysanthemum marschallii
  • Chrysanthemum roseum
  • Pyrethrum coccineum
  • Pyrethrum roseum
Phonetic Spelling
TAN-uh-SEE-tum kok-SIN-ee-um kok-SIN-ee-um
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Painted Daisy is an upright, bushy perennial that is known for its bright-colored daisy-like flowers. They are grown in shades of pink, red, purple, or white with yellow centers. They are beautiful as cut flowers in bouquets or floral arrangements. The flowers bloom from June to July. The plant grows 1-3 feet tall and 1.5- 2 feet wide. This species is also known to produce a natural insecticide known as pyrethrins. The Painted Daisy is a member of the Asteraceae or Aster family. Other common names include Pyrethrum, Pyrethrum Daisy, and Persian Insect Flower. There are many cultivars with vibrant colored flowers.

The plant is native of Eastern Europe to Central Asia and Iran. 

The genus name, Tanacetum, is derived from the Greek word, "Athanasia," which means "immortal." The species name, coccineum, originates from the Latin word, "coccineus," which means "scarlet." This references the flower color of some of the species plants. Tanacetum coccineum subsp .coccineum is an accepted subspecies.

Painted Daisy prefers full sun to partial shade. They enjoy well-drained, moist, and sandy to loamy soils. They perform best in USDA zones 3-7. To encourage more flowers, it is best to pinch back the new growth when the plant is 6-8 inches tall. As the plant grows in size, allow the new buds to form and refrain from pinching back the new growth. Deadheading spent blooms will also encourage more blossoms. The plant may be propagated by seeds, cuttings, or divisions.

The medium green leaves are soft, fine texture, fern-like, and aromatic. The upper leaves are shorter than the lower leaves. The daisy-like flower is about 3 inches in diameter and grows on a wiry stem. The outer petal rays are brightly colored and encircle at the yellow central disk. 

Painted Daisy attracts butterflies and is deer resistant.

This plant is very versatile and may be used in a variety of landscapes. This may include flower beds, borders, containers, rock gardens, cottage gardens, or mass plantings. They are excellent as cut flowers. It is best to wear gloves when handling this plant because the sap and leaves may cause skin irritation or contact dermatitis.

Quick ID Hints:

  • Medium green soft fern-like leaves
  • Daisy-like flowers with brightly colored petal rays and center yellow disk
  • Wiry stems

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:

There are no serious disease or pest problems. The foliage has natural insect-repelling properties. Monitor the plant for aphids, leafhoppers, leaf miners, nematodes, spider mites, or thrips.

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Brenda'
    Magenta pink blooms with yellow center; 24 inches tall;
  • 'Eileen May Robinson'
    Pale pink blooms with yellow center; 24-30 inches tall;
  • 'James Kelway'
    Bright red blooms with yellow center;
  • 'Mont Blanc'
    White bloom with yellow center; 24 inches tall
  • 'Mrs. James Kelway'
    Creamy blooms, turn pink with age; 24 inches tall;
  • 'Robinson's Crimson'
    Scarlet red blooms with yellow center; 18 inches tall;
'Brenda', 'Eileen May Robinson', 'James Kelway', 'Mont Blanc', 'Mrs. James Kelway', 'Robinson's Crimson'
Tags:
#cultivars#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#white flowers#pink flowers#salt tolerant#cottage garden#summer flowers#deer resistant#rock garden#border planting#cutting garden#pollinator plant#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#contact dermatitis#container plant#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Brenda'
    Magenta pink blooms with yellow center; 24 inches tall;
  • 'Eileen May Robinson'
    Pale pink blooms with yellow center; 24-30 inches tall;
  • 'James Kelway'
    Bright red blooms with yellow center;
  • 'Mont Blanc'
    White bloom with yellow center; 24 inches tall
  • 'Mrs. James Kelway'
    Creamy blooms, turn pink with age; 24 inches tall;
  • 'Robinson's Crimson'
    Scarlet red blooms with yellow center; 18 inches tall;
'Brenda', 'Eileen May Robinson', 'James Kelway', 'Mont Blanc', 'Mrs. James Kelway', 'Robinson's Crimson'
Tags:
#cultivars#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#white flowers#pink flowers#salt tolerant#cottage garden#summer flowers#deer resistant#rock garden#border planting#cutting garden#pollinator plant#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#contact dermatitis#container plant#perennial
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Tanacetum
    Species:
    coccineum subsp. coccineum
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern Europe to Central Asia and Iran
    Distribution:
    Native: East European Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, North Caucasus, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Turkey, Uzbekistan; Introduced: France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Italy, Jawa, Kirgizstan, Mexico Southeast, Mozambique, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Switzerland, USA: NY
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts butterflies.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Fragrance
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Mounding
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    The flower blooms from June to July and is daisy-like. The flowerhead measures 3 inches in diameter. The petal rays come in a variety of colors depending on the cultivar. They may include white, cream, pink, red, and purple with a yellow center.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Soft
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves are soft, medium green, and fern-like. The lower leaves are long and have petioles. The upper leaves are shorter and are attached directly to the stem of the flower.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    The flower stems are wiry.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Container
    Patio
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Salt
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Contact irritates the skin.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Some people may develop contact dermatitis from the sap or leaves of plants in the Aster family.
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Leaves
    Sap/Juice