Common Name: tanacetum
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Asteraceae
Native Range: Syria, Turkey
Zone: 8 to 10
Height: 0.25 to 0.50 feet
Spread: 1.00 to 2.00 feet
Bloom Time: July to August
Bloom Description: Yellow
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Medium
Suggested Use: Ground Cover, Naturalize
Flower: Showy
Leaf: Colorful
Tolerate: Dry Soil
Culture
Winter hardy to USDA Zones 8-10 where it may be grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates light shade. Also tolerates a wide variety of soils including rocky or gravelly ones. Best with moderate but consistent moisture. Some gardeners grow this plant solely for its attractive foliage and sheer off flowers as they appear.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Tanacetum haradjanii, commonly called tansy, silver tansy or silverlace tansy, is an aromatic, mat-forming, woody-based perennial that grows to 4-6" tall but spreads over time to 2' wide or more. It is native to Syria and Turkey. Leaves are evergreen in warm winter climates. Where winter hardy, this plant is primarily grown for its attractive, feathery, finely-divided, silver-gray, oblong-elliptic to ovate leaves (to 2" long) which form a compact spreading mound. Leaves grow on silvery-white tomentose stems which may root where they touch the ground. Small rayless tubular yellow flowers (each to 1/8" wide) bloom in corymbs in summer on stems rising above the foliage mound. Synonymous with and formerly known as Chrysanthemum haradjanii.
Genus name reportedly is derived from an altered form of the Greek word athanatos meaning long-lasting or immortal in reference to the long-lasting flowers and/or the everlasting qualities of the dried flowers of some species (in particular Tanacetum vulgare).
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Spider mites can be a problem in some areas.
Uses
Rock gardens. Border fronts.