Dahlberg daisy

Sun

Full sun; flowering is reduced in shade.

Water

Water regularly while establishing, then let the soil surface dry between waterings. Established plants tolerate short dry spells, but containers need more frequent attention.

Soil

Well-drained sandy or gritty soil; tolerates relatively poor soil but struggles in wet, heavy clay.

Height

0.5-1 ft (0.15-0.3 m)

Spread

0.5-1 ft (0.15-0.3 m)

Flowers

Small, bright yellow daisies from late spring or early summer into autumn, until frost.

Foliage

Fine, deeply divided green leaves with a noticeable scent when crushed.

Growth

Fast; flowers in its first growing season.

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Drought tolerant
• Heat tolerant
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Easy

Toughness

Very tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   0.5 ft (0.15 m)

2. After 1 year

   0.7 ft (0.22 m)

   full size

Full size in one season.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

Native to

the US

In the garden

Spreads vigorously: plan to contain it.

Growth rate

Fast

• Plant outdoors after frost risk has passed and the soil has warmed.
• Space plants about 0.5-1 ft (0.15-0.3 m) apart in freely draining soil.
• Water at soil level, allowing the surface to dry before watering again.
• Avoid rich feeding; give container plants an occasional dilute balanced feed if growth becomes weak.
• Use a light gravel mulch if needed, keeping it clear of the stems.

Pruning. Pinch young shoots to encourage branching. If plants become straggly or flowering slows in midsummer, trim them lightly without cutting into bare, leafless stems.

Early spring

Sow seed indoors in bright light about 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost; press seed onto the surface and barely cover.

Late spring

Harden off seedlings and plant outside after frost risk has passed.

Early summer

Water new plants regularly until rooted, then allow the soil surface to dry between waterings.

Midsummer

Lightly trim straggly growth and check containers frequently for drying out.

Autumn

Remove unwanted seedlings and spent plants before seed spreads where it is not wanted.

Winter

Clear frost-killed plants and improve drainage before the next planting season.

• Edge sunny paths with low cushions of yellow flowers and fine-textured foliage.
• Plant at the front of a warm-coloured border with dwarf salvias and annual verbenas.
• Use around the edges of pots and hanging baskets for a loose, lightly trailing effect.
• Fill seasonal gaps between stones in a sunny gravel garden, where drainage is sharp.

Garden styles it suits: Cottage garden, Dry gravel garden, Mediterranean, Pollinator garden, Low-maintenance and Small-space.

Plant it with: Sweet alyssum, Annual verbena, Blue salvia, Portulaca, French marigold and California poppy.

Wildlife: The open flowers provide nectar and pollen for small bees, hoverflies and other flower-visiting insects.

• Root rot in wet soil: improve drainage, avoid standing water in saucers and let the surface dry between waterings.
• Sparse flowers and floppy growth: move to full sun and reduce nitrogen-rich feeding.
• Aphids on soft shoots: rinse off with water; use insecticidal soap if an infestation persists, following the label.
• Dry, collapsing container plants: check moisture frequently in hot weather and water the root ball thoroughly when dry.

Not known to be toxic to people, cats, dogs or horses, but species-specific safety information is limited. No particular part is established as poisonous; it is not a food plant, so discourage eating it.

Where it spreads. Can self-seed freely in warm climates and is naturalised in parts of Australia, including Queensland and New South Wales. Remove unwanted seedlings and check local weed guidance before planting near bushland.

• Damianita (Chrysactinia mexicana)

  Also has aromatic foliage and small yellow daisies, but forms a woody evergreen shrub with narrow, mostly undivided leaves rather than soft, finely divided foliage.

• Signet marigold (Tagetes tenuifolia)

  Has divided aromatic leaves, but its leaflets are broader and toothed, and its yellow or orange flower heads usually show five broad, notched outer petals.

• Sanvitalia (Sanvitalia procumbens)

  Forms a spreading mat with broad, undivided leaves and yellow daisies that usually have conspicuous dark centres.

The botanical epithet tenuiloba means slender-lobed, referring to the finely divided leaves.

Propagation. Grow from seed, either indoors before the last frost or directly outdoors once the soil is warm. Press seed onto moist seed compost and barely cover, as light helps germination; keep moist but not waterlogged.

Accepted botanical name

Thymophylla tenuiloba

In the US and Canada

Native in the lower 48 states.

Native range

Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mexico Northeast, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0), USDA PLANTS and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.