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Tanacetum parthenium. This pretty, versatile herb is a favourite in my garden. Hopefully, by the end of this article, it will be one of yours too.
Feverfew has been written about for its medicinal uses since 1597. It has been a staple in English gardens for centuries. Widely known for its relief of headache and Vertigo, this plant is also used to help prevent blood clots, as an anti-inflamatory for the relief of arthritis, for the relief of some types of menstrual problems and as a digestive aid. Always consult a physician before taking any herbal remedy.
Feverfew is a perennial herb native to southeast Asia and Europe. In more recent times it has become naturalized in North and South America and Australia. Plant Feverfew among aphid loving Perennials and annuals since it is known to repel these unwanted insects. It is said to have insecticidal properties, a solution of Feverfew dabbed on the skin will repel biting insects. The crushed leaves are also known to deter moths.
Why Feverfew? This versatile plant grows from between 9 inches and 2 feet, making it a good border plant and it does extremely well in containers. Last year I let it grow in some half whiskey barrels, popped in a few extra Blanket flowers I had, and the result was beautiful. It will grow in full sun or full shade and in the poorest of soils. I have even had it grow up between the cracks of asphalt paving. It makes a wonderful, bright filler between annuals and perennials. It can even be grown on rocky slopes and walls!!.
Feverfew self seeds readily, yet has a weak root system and pulls easily, making it easy to control. In some areas it is considered a noxious weed. Yet, I like it as a good filler in borders and along paths. After blooming, the flowers turn brown, but if you cut the plant back by half it will bloom again, giving flowers until frost. I never tire of its pretty little flowers. They resemble a cross between a Chrysanthemum and a Daisy. Feverfew survives my zone 5a winters. In the spring, when the snow has melted, the plants are still there, semi-green. I just trim back the previous years growth to roughly 3 inches.
Propagation is simple. Stem cuttings can be stuck in the ground, or in pots, in the spring and early summer. Since it self seeds so easily, there is always an abundance of young plants to be moved. They transplant easily. Mature plants can be divided as well, although, if done on a sunny day they may wilt, they bounce back readily. Seeds can be winter sown, or started early in a greenhouse or on a windowsill..
This is one of my most requested Perennials. Almost everyone that stops to look at my gardens wants a few of these plants. They do not require any special attention making them perfect in any garden. Drought tolerant, they would be a nice addition to any garden in an area where watering restrictions occur. They come in single or double varieties, both equally beautiful.
Consider Feverfew the next time you are shopping for a new Perennial. These attractive, versatile, easy to grow plants are often overlooked. They are one of my favourites, maybe they will become one of yours as well.
Photo credits go to, bemidjigreen and poppysue. The last one is mine....
About Lee Anne Stark
I am an avid gardener who shares my gardens with 2 other equally avid gardeners. I garden for fun and relaxation, never paying attention to the rules!! During the long, cold winter months I occupy my time playing with over a hundred house plants, my six cats and two dogs.
Posted by lobelialady (from Cornwall
(Canada)) on March 3, 2008 at 3:58 PM:
HI I'm a fairly forgiving gardener...but I will never again plant feverfew.
...
Posted by threegardeners (from North Augusta, ON) on March 3, 2008 at 4:02 PM:
How come?
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Posted by Fitsy (from Hayesville, NC) on March 7, 2008 at 7:39 PM:
Please tell us what the downer is!
Fitsy
...
Subject: Protection against gopher damage
Posted by molly92 (from Orinda, CA) on March 3, 2008 at 12:33 PM:
Have you tried wire "baskets" to keep gophers from chewing up your dahlias, roses bushes, etc? Nurseries in this central part of California are strongly suggesting we gardeners use them. The gauge needs to be smaller than common chicken wire, of course, and the best tool is a pair of needle-nosed pliers-- after you have cut a piece to be folded and joined down one side and across the bottom. ( A dahlia requires a piece about 10-12" deep and 20 " around. Dahlias like to be planted pretty deep, with fertilizer added in the bottom, so this size would protect the longest tubers you have.) Folded in half, the wire will be 10" across at the top, and when you have bent the cut edges together down the side and across the bottom, you will have a "pocket" to plant in. In the Fall you know exactly where to dig, if you live where plants need to be lifted and stored. The process IS a lot of work, but after losing both roses and dahlias the answer is worth the trouble.
...
Posted by Fitsy (from Hayesville, NC) on March 7, 2008 at 7:37 PM:
I've made baskets like that from metal "hardware cloth"
for various things, like tulips. Finally something that works.
Fitsy
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Subject: Great ideas! Great article!
Posted by grampapa (from Wheatfield, NY) on March 1, 2008 at 8:32 AM:
Thanks, Lee Anne. I appreciate your ideas for where to use feverfew. I am a fan and am wintersowing both the single and double from seed this year. I think it would be very pretty in my rose garden, too.
~ jan
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Posted by svplantingfool (from South Venice, FL) on March 1, 2008 at 8:48 AM:
Great article! Ditto on the rose garden usage, I have it at the feet of my roses and love the way the two look together.
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Posted by darius (from Marion, VA) on March 1, 2008 at 2:45 PM:
Good article. I'll grow some this year in my new garden, Thanks.
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Posted by Dea (from Frederick, MD) on March 1, 2008 at 5:23 PM:
Such a lovely plant, great article too !
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Posted by planolinda (from Plano, TX) on March 1, 2008 at 8:01 PM:
thanks--i think i might give it a try this year!
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Posted by threegardeners (from North Augusta, ON) on March 1, 2008 at 8:02 PM:
That's great that I have inspired a few people to try this plant!!
It truly is one of my favourites.
...
Posted by planolinda (from Plano, TX) on March 1, 2008 at 8:10 PM:
is it mostly sold by seed or plants at the nursery?
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Posted by threegardeners (from North Augusta, ON) on March 1, 2008 at 8:13 PM:
The very few times I have seen it in a nursery it has been plants.
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Posted by planolinda (from Plano, TX) on March 1, 2008 at 8:15 PM:
thanks--i will ask around at our nurseries--i need to start a list! i see your zone is alot colder--i bet your already said this in the article but will it like our very hot summers in texas?
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Posted by threegardeners (from North Augusta, ON) on March 1, 2008 at 8:24 PM:
I think maybe I remember reading there might even be one that is native to down there somewhere. Mine handle the heat up here without even a blink.
Posted by planolinda (from Plano, TX) on March 1, 2008 at 8:38 PM:
that is a great site--thanks--and it showed that it is grown in texas and mostly south of me where it is even hotter--
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Posted by threegardeners (from North Augusta, ON) on March 1, 2008 at 8:52 PM:
:)))
...
Posted by Aunt_A (from Tulsa, OK) on March 1, 2008 at 11:15 PM:
"It will grow in full sun or full shade and in the poorest of soils. I have even had it grow up between the cracks of asphalt paving."
Okay, I think I'll try it! Thanks for the information...I live in clay soil city and don't have the time, energy or money to enrich all of the places that I'd like to grow plants. Thanks.
...
Posted by DiggerDee (from Ffld County, CT) on March 1, 2008 at 11:56 PM:
I grew some from seed last year, and will be growing more this year. However, I didn't realize it would grow in shade. That's great since I don't have a lot of sun. Perhaps I'll move it from the valuable sun it's in now and plop it in the shade. It will free up some badly needed sunny space for me.
Thanks, Lee Anne!
...
Posted by Zuzu (from Sebastopol, CA) on March 2, 2008 at 12:57 AM:
Great article, Lee Anne. Another thing I really love about Feverfew is that it looks perfect in bouquets, and you can actually bring it into the house, in contrast to daisies, most of which smell awful.
...
Posted by Lilliesan (from San Antonio, TX) on March 3, 2008 at 3:10 PM:
Okay, I'm looking for feverfew starting today. I live in San Antonio with black caliche soil. If it will grow here, it'll grow anywhere.. I'll let you know.
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Posted by Fitsy (from Hayesville, NC) on March 7, 2008 at 7:51 PM:
Thanks for the info! I am looking for east plants for
wildlife, and feverfew is on the list.
Besides, I like it too!
Fistsyu
...
Posted by Fitsy (from Hayesville, NC) on March 7, 2008 at 7:52 PM:
After blooming, the flowers turn brown, but if you cut the plant back by half it will bloom again, giving flowers until frost. I never tire of its pretty little flowers. They resemble a cross between a Chrysanthemum and a Daisy. Feverfew survives my zone 5a winters. In the spring, when the snow has melted, the plants are still there, semi-green. I just trim back the previous years growth to roughly 3 inches. 
occur. They come in single or double varieties, both equally beautiful. 
