Plant of the week: Anthemis

These daisies are at the heart of an English summer garden

There are some summer daisies that have become classics of cottage and country-style gardens. Anthemis, or dyer’s chamomile, is one of them, with the best species and varieties, such as ‘Susanna Mitchell’ and ‘E.C. Buxton’ almost prerequisite.

Anthemis are a group of around 100 or more aromatic plants from the Mediterranean and into Africa, spanning clump-forming perennials, often short-lived, and tussock or mat-forming woody shrublets. A handful of the clump-forming species have become favourite border plants, with one species, A. tinctoria, spawning more than 10 varieties and an important parent in other hybrids. Their cheery, longstalked, gold-centred flowers appear in June through to high summer over dissected, aromatic, bright to grey-green foliage. Blossoms come in a range of orange and yellow tones, through pale primrose to white, the paler kinds possessing peerless poise and elegance. They effortlessly combine with rich blues and stronger yellows.

All anthemis enjoy sun and well-drained soil and if they get this they’re easy to grow. They also need good air, becoming mildewed in dank, wet conditions. They tend to flop in heavy rain or if they overgrow in too rich soil, so be ready with support. After flowering chop down spent shoots to encourage fresh new growth. Being short-lived, you’ll need to divide plants in spring or replace them every few years. Anthemis can be grown from seed sown in early spring. More perennial kinds can also be raised from shoots removed from the base of plants in summer.