Tanacetum vulgare

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tansy

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Other common names

buttons, ginger plant, golden buttons, hind-heal, immortality, buttonweed

Synonyms

Chrysanthemum vulgare

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial
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A vigorous upright deciduous perennial about 60-90cm tall, with pinnate, deeply-divided, aromatic leaves to 10cm long. Erect stems, to 75cm, bear clusters of pincushion-like, bright yellow daisy flowers in dense clusters, through summer into autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H7

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
Tanacetum can be annuals, evergreen or herbaceous perennials or sub-shrubs, with simple or pinnately divided leaves and solitary or clustered, terminal, daisy-like or button-like flower-heads
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Europe

How to Grow

Cultivation

Naturally grows on verges, grassland and disturbed ground

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free