Montauk Daisies, Nipponanthemum nipponicum

By Sally G. Miller (sallyg) May 16, 2008

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Montauk daisies, Nipponanthemum nipponicum – never heard of them. But the lush greenery filling the large pots looked too good to pass up. I bought three on faith alone. Only after I came home and started researching did I fully appreciate my new acquisitions.

Tongue-twisting Latin name

That sure is a tongue-twister, Nipponanthemum nipponicum. Until a few years ago the Latin name for this plant was Chrysanthemum nipponicum. I also found it referred to as Leucanthemum nipponicum. Those pesky botanists! Their recent rearrangements of plant genera haven't helped us common folk in our quest to learn about plants. But I needed to understand the Latin name system to find out more about Montauk daisies. (Simply researching "daisies" or even "oxeye daisies" would have gotten me nowhere. Some common names are just way too common.*) Curiously, the tag that came with the plant states that it is native to the area around the Montauk Lighthouse in the state of New York. I wasn't able to confirm that with my research. Even reading through the official Montauk Point Lighthouse website told me nothing to back up that claim of origin.

Fall-blooming, deer-resisting, butterfly attracting

As its current Latin name suggests, this daisy originated in Japan (Nippon). The plant is native to the island's coastal areas. During spring and summer, stems grow from the hardy roots into a two foot tall, bushy "subshrub." Being a coastal native is a good hint that Montauk daisies like well-drained sites with full sun. They are rated for growing in zones 6-10, which means that most temperate zone gardeners can enjoy this flower. Happily, I have read that deer and rabbits are not fond of Nipponicum but that butterflies are. Montauk daisy will spend most of the growing season as a pleasant leafy filler in your annual or perennial flowerbeds. Foliage is deep green, with a slightly leathery texture. The three-inch leaves are toothed and oblong, reminding you of its Shasta daisy and chrysanthemum cousins. In early fall, dozens of classic white, yellow-centered blooms open and dress the plant until hard frost

Landscape use and care

Montauk daisies begin greening the flower bed a month or two before you can plant your summer annuals. Crocuses, pansies, daffodils or early tulips could be tucked around the plant to take advantage of space later to be shaded by the growing stems. In late spring, place short summer bloomers, like wax begonias, petunias, or marigolds, in front of Montauk daisies. Add height and more summer color behind the daisies with tall flowers like zinnias, cleome, or cosmos. A tall grass like switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) or the grass-like leaves and midsummer blooms of daylilies would lend a nice contrast in foliage.

Once planted in well draining soil and full sun, Montauk daisies will not ask for care during the summer. Winter will damage the exposed parts, so you'll trim all stems in early spring and allow the many fresh buds at the base to develop. Gardening on a budget? Consider buying a smaller number of pots this year. You can divide those plants in subsequent early springs later on by digging up the woody base, cutting it apart and replanting.

Sources for Montauk daisies

I found my Montauk daisies in six-inch pots at one of those big home-improvement warehouse type stores last fall. Dave's Garden Plantfiles led me to mail-order sources for this plant. It may not be a widely-known plant at this time; could it be an old favorite enjoying a recent revival in interest? I'm looking forward to seeing Nipponanthemum nipponicum in full bloom for the first time this year.

Can't wait for fall blooms? Maybe you should read this recent article about Shasta daisies by darius.

Click here to read comments about this plant by Dave's Garden subscribers.

 Ox-Eye Daisies are another classic choice, and here's an article by critterologist about them.

*Daisy can be used to refer to any of a large number of plants with similarly-structured flowers. Dave's Garden Plantfiles shows 682 results for a search of the term "daisy".

References

Fell, Derek. Encyclopedia of Hardy Plants. Buffalo, Firefly Books, 2007

Ellis, Barbara W. Taylor's Guide to Perennials. Boston, Houghton Mifflin, 2000

Sabellico's Greenhouse and Nursery website linked here

Bartels Plants Wholesale Greenhouse website linked here

Pictures were taken by the author. The flower I photographed is not actually a Montauk daisy, but a very similar "common ox-eye" , Leucanthemum vulgare.

About Sally G. Miller   I grew up playing in the Maryland woods, and would still do it often if life allowed! Being outside in a garden or natural area gives endless opportunity for learning and wonder. Naturally (pun intended,) my garden style leans towards the casual, with lots of perennials and bulbs, some native plants, and with small fruits and vegetables thrown in. I want to always see something new when I go in the yard, and always like to try new plants. I thank my parents for passing along their love of gardening and nature, and my husband and kids for allowing me to pursue and share my interests.

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Subject: propagation

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Posted by pamsaplantin (from Morgantown, WV) on May 16, 2008 at 12:17 AM:

This plant may be started easily from herbaceous cuttings. I currently have a whole flat of them, which I started from my spring prunings. I also started a container full by WS from saved seed. They appear to be just like the parent plant but i won't know for sure until it blooms. I have had this plant for many years & didn't know what it was until recently. It was labeled as an aster when I purchased it.

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Posted by sallyg (from Anne Arundel Co., MD) on May 16, 2008 at 12:24 AM:

Thanks so much for adding some good information!

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Posted by Annepaola (from Manahawkin, NJ) on May 19, 2008 at 9:31 AM:

I didn't realize that this plant was attractive to butterflies. It is a good sturdy addition to the garden and grows rapidly. I had something - a deer I think gnaw off the front of it this spring, or perhaps it was a big rabbit. It does root fairly easily and now that I know it is a butterfly plant I will keep all those dozens of plants I started when I cut my big plant back. It does get to the rough rangy point where you want to discard it however. When we divided it into root segments and planted it in a wilder part of our property it redeemed itself with nice growth.

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Posted by figaro52 (from Oak Lawn, IL) on May 19, 2008 at 9:36 AM:

Although rated for zones 6-10, it grows very reliably in zone 5. A super hardy plant -- a star of the late fall garden as it blooms for me in October. I wouldn't be without it!

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Posted by pamsaplantin (from Morgantown, WV) on May 19, 2008 at 8:30 PM:

Annepaola
I thought mine was going to look bad this spring before I cut it back because the stems were so woody. But after a really good pruning it has put on beautiful herbaceous growth & it looks like new. I also usually give it another pruning in early summer to promote an even bushier plant. I don't know if you're supposed to do that or not but I prune it when I prune the mums. And it is always fantastic come fall.

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