Pyrethrum (Persian or Dalmatian chamomile) is a herbaceous perennial belonging to the family Asteraceae. Distribution area - Eurasia and the northern regions of America.
Description of feverfew
Shrub with a fibrous rhizome, grassy type stems, upright, height from 50 to 70 cm. The foliage has a feathery-dissected shape, rich green color.
Inflorescences in the form of baskets with a diameter of 3 to 6 cm, elongated petals and a lush middle. Buds of tubular or reed type. Color from white to deep lilac.
Flowering period - from early June to July. Seeds after ripening have a germination rate of 3 years.
Types of feverfew: girlish, pink and others
The exact number of pyrethrum species has not been established, but there are several varieties that are suitable for home growing:
| View | Description | Flowers | Flowering period |
| Maiden | Perennial shrub from the southern regions of Europe. Branched, reaches 50 cm. The foliage is pale green, occasionally with yellow tints. | Basket-like inflorescences, diameter about 4 cm. They are ordinary and terry. White and yellow. | The beginning of July - the end of August. |
| Pink | Perennial growing in the Caucasus. It is grown in the form of a biennial or annual. The stem is erect, with a height of up to 70 cm. Included in the number of hybrid species. | Tubular or reed, bright yellow or pinkish. Buds in diameter up to 12 cm. | Mid June - end of July. |
| Shield | Perennial, homeland - Eastern regions of Europe, the Caucasus. The trunk is straight, reaches 1 m. Root foliage about 40 cm long. | Inflorescences are corymbose, loose. Reed or tubular, yellow or white. | June July. |
| Large leaf | Perennial plant growing up to 1.5 m. | Small, formed in corymbose inflorescences. White, by mid-summer, become reddish. | The end of May - mid-July. |
And thanks to the fruitful work of breeders, several varieties of feverfew were also discovered:
| Varieties | Description | Flowers | Flowering period |
| Comedian | A hybrid with an upright trunk about 80 cm high. | Reed and tubular, bright red or yellow. | From July to August. |
| Giants robinson | A variety of pink feverfew is one of the most popular varieties of this plant. The trunk is straight, with a height of about 80 cm. It is used for group landings, discounts, as well as for cutting. | Reed. Color - pink or carmine. | Mid June - second half of July. |
| Golden ball | Bred from the girl's feverfew, refers to decorative varieties. Perennial, but on the territory of Russia grown as an annual. Grows up to 25 cm. | Terry, have the shape of a ball. Bright yellow color. | June July. |
| Troubadour reed. | A kind of pink feverfew. Used to decorate flower beds. | Color - from white to red. | The year after sowing (mid-June). |
| Scarlet star | Perennial plant up to 80 cm high. | Tubular (yellow) or reed (deep red). | Mid June - July. |
| Harmony | A variety of pink feverfew, with a trunk of 70 cm. | Terry. Color - yellow or red. | Mid June - August. |
Growing pyrethrum from seeds
Persian or Dalmatian chamomile (another name for pyrethrum) is effectively propagated by seed method. But with this dilution, the color of the buds can turn out unpredictable.
You can grow feverfew using seeds in the following ways:
- planting on seedlings;
- direct landing in open ground.
When using seedlings, the seeds are sown in early spring, then in May the seedlings are already placed at the final place of cultivation. Since this planting material is quite small, professionals advise mixing it with sand, and then sprinkling it a little with soil. Seedling pots are covered with a film to create a greenhouse effect. Shoots occur in a week.
After the appearance of 3 true leaves, seedlings are transplanted into separate pots. During the month, provide a temperature of +20 ° C.
In open ground, seeds are planted in May-June. When shoots occur, seedlings are placed so that the gap between them is about 20 cm.
Pyrethrum landing
Sowing seeds or seedlings in the ground is recommended in late spring or early summer, when the threat of frost disappears.
They prefer well-lit areas, although the Persian daisy feels comfortable even in partial shade. With a lack of light, the trunks are elongated, thereby reducing the abundance and duration of flowering.
The flower is undemanding to the soil, but it is recommended to stop the choice on permeable soil, because the Dalmatian chamomile does not tolerate stagnation of water. In acidic soil, ash or lime is added.
Pyrethrum Care
Pyrethrum is a plant that is quite resistant to dry weather, so it is watered only with intense heat lasting several weeks, when the foliage loses its elasticity, and the soil cracks. Chamomile requires a lot of water only during the flowering period.
After planting the flower, the soil is mulched with peat and finely chopped grass. This prevents the formation of a crust after water is added; weed grass does not bother.
Fertilizing and feeding feverfew
Top dressing is performed two to three times per season. Flowers respond positively to the use of mullein.
For the first time the soil before the flowering period. As soon as the buds are wilted, they use the complex-type mineral composition.
At the end of the spring-summer season, watered with infusion of finely chopped weed grass.
Reproduction of feverfew
In addition to planting seeds, the plant is propagated by dividing shrubs and cuttings.
The first variant of pyrethrum dilution is performed once every 3-4 years, by this period the flower actively increases the lateral processes. To do this, the bush is removed from the soil, remove excess soil from it. The division is performed manually. The resulting parts must be large, they are placed in the holes and watered abundantly.
Cuttings are obtained from young basal processes, from late spring to August. Then transported to nutrient and air soil for rooting, the container is placed in partial shade. The earth is constantly moistened, and in order to reduce evaporation, the processes are covered with a film. Air and irrigate daily. Rooting takes place from 14 to 21 days. Then they carry out a transplant to the garden.
Diseases and pests of feverfew
As the feverfew grows, it is attacked by insects and diseases:
| Symptoms (effect on foliage) | Disease / pest | Remedial measures |
| Fluffy plaque of gray color, deformation of the trunk. | Fusarium | The affected flowers are removed from the ground and burned. The site where the plant was grown is treated with any fungicide. |
| Holes. | Slug. | Collected by hand. Correct the irrigation regime, preventing stagnation of water. |
| Withering, white spotting. | Thrips. | The plant is removed from the ground and thrown out, the soil is sprayed with a systemic fungicide. |
| Yellowing. | Aphid. | With severe damage, pyrethrum is removed from the soil and eliminated from the site. With a small number of pests, the bush is treated with Insecticides (Actellik, Aktara or Biotlin). The actions are repeated 2-3 times. |
Mr. Dachnik advises: feverfew in landscape design
They are used in carpet-type flowerbeds for edging. In this situation, shrubs cut to the required height and prevent the formation of buds.
They are also used to decorate borders. Bright colors enhance the appearance of rabatok and mixborders.
This shrub is considered the most optimal for decorating the garden in the style of country. This is explained by the fact that the flower looks great and takes root nearby with ornamental plants.
The flower is used for the decor of loggias and terraces. It is suitable for composing bouquets.
Useful properties of feverfew
In the old days, Dalmatian chamomile was used to lower the temperature, eliminate inflammation and pain in the head. It is proved that this flower has properties similar to aspirin.
In the 1980s, scientists noted feverfew as an effective substance in the fight against migraine. It was said that the powder of this plant relieves much faster and more frequent headaches than expensive medications. This was due to the fact that the flower contains parthenolide, which helps to block the synthesis of serotonin. And, as you know, the excessive content of this component in brain cells and vessels is recognized as the cause of the formation of migraine.
In addition, Dalmatian chamomile blocks the production of histamine, prevents the formation of blood clots in blood vessels, and has antimicrobial and anti-allergenic properties. Appliques against arthritis and rheumatism are created from foliage; they are used to treat asthma and relieve pain during the menstrual cycle.
In combination with medicines, feverfew eliminates the allergic manifestations of dermatitis and psoriasis.
This plant has an unusual appearance and medicinal properties, which attracts a large number of gardeners. Decoctions of this flower often solder young children with allergies, accompanied by severe rashes.
