Pyrethrum, Pyrethum daisy, Persian Insect Flower, Painted Daisy
Tanacetum coccineum

Family: Asteraceae or Compositae

What it is like

Bloom Color: Pink, Red, White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late spring. Form: Upright or erect.

Tanacetum coccineum is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 0.6

Where it is found

Sunny dry mountainous habitats. Sub-alpine meadows in the Caucasus.

W. Asia to the Caucasus.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

The dried flower heads are used as an insecticide, they are a source of the commercially available insecticide 'pyrethrum', which is non-toxic to mammals. This species is less effective than T. cinerariifolium. Only the yellow disk rays contain pyrethrins. Once dried, the flowers or the powder retain their insecticidal properties almost indefinitely.

Insecticide: Kills insects.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Foundation, Massing, Rock garden. Succeeds in most soils so long as they are not very heavy or wet. Thrives in full sun but also succeeds in light dappled shade though it flowers less well in such a situation. Another report says that it requires a sunny position in a well-drained alkaline or neutral soil. Prefers a slightly acid sandy soil. Tolerates a pH in the range 5.2 to 7. A very ornamental plant, there are many named forms selected for their ornamental value. Very suitable for naturalizing in a summer meadow. Special Features: Attractive foliage, Fragrant foliage, Attracts butterflies, Suitable for cut flowers, Suitable for dried flowers.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Only just cover the seed and do not allow the pot to dry out. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer. Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring.

Best place to grow: Meadow; Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 4-10

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Chrysanthemum coccineum. Willd. C. roseum. Pyrethrum roseum.