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Tanacetum balsamita (Costmary)
1 hour care
per year
per year
0.9m
Max height
Max height
0.5m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Tanacetum balsamita
Other names
Costmary, Alecost, Beaver tongue, Bible leaf, Bitter buttons, Camphor plant, Cologne plant, Cost, Costermary, Lady's balsam, Lady's flower, Lady's herb, Mace, Mint geranium, Patagonian mint, Sweet Mary, Tongue plant, Chrysanthemum balsamita
Genus
Tanacetum Tanacetum
Species
T. balsamita - T. balsamita is a mat-forming, rhizomatous, woody-based perennial with erect stems bearing elliptic to ovate, scalloped, softly hairy, aromatic, grey-green leaves and, in late summer and early autumn, corymbs of white flowerheads with yellow central discs.
Tanacetum balsamita is: Deciduous
Fragrance
Leaves smell like balsam and are used to make pot-pourri.
Habit
Erect flower stem, Clump-forming, Upright
Toxicity
Contact may irritate the skin.
Flower
White in Summer; White in Autumn
Foliage
Grey-green in Spring; Grey-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Aphids , Leaf and bud eelworms , Leaf-mining sawflies Aphids , Leaf and bud eelworms , Leaf-mining sawflies
General care
Pruning
Cut back in mid- to late autumn.
Propagation
Sow seed at 10-13C (50-55F) in late winter or early spring.
Propagation methods
Division, Basal cuttings, Seed
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Where to grow
Tanacetum balsamita (Costmary) will reach a height of 0.9m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Coastal, Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Beds and borders
Cultivation
Best planted in well-drained, acid to neutral soil in full sun. Tolerates a wide range of conditions. Will not flowers if grown in shade.
Soil type
Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Tanacetum balsamita
Other names
Costmary, Alecost, Beaver tongue, Bible leaf, Bitter buttons, Camphor plant, Cologne plant, Cost, Costermary, Lady's balsam, Lady's flower, Lady's herb, Mace, Mint geranium, Patagonian mint, Sweet Mary, Tongue plant, Chrysanthemum balsamita
Genus
Tanacetum Tanacetum
Species
T. balsamita - T. balsamita is a mat-forming, rhizomatous, woody-based perennial with erect stems bearing elliptic to ovate, scalloped, softly hairy, aromatic, grey-green leaves and, in late summer and early autumn, corymbs of white flowerheads with yellow central discs.
Native to
Central Asia, Europe
Foliage
Deciduous
Fragrance
Leaves smell like balsam and are used to make pot-pourri.
Habit
Erect flower stem, Clump-forming, Upright
Toxicity
Contact may irritate the skin.
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Colour
Flower
White in Summer; White in Autumn
Foliage
Grey-green in Spring; Grey-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Aphids , Leaf and bud eelworms , Leaf-mining sawflies
General care
Pruning
Cut back in mid- to late autumn.
Propagation
Sow seed at 10-13C (50-55F) in late winter or early spring.
Propagation methods
Division, Basal cuttings, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Tanacetum balsamita (Costmary) will reach a height of 0.9m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Coastal, Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Beds and borders
Cultivation
Best planted in well-drained, acid to neutral soil in full sun. Tolerates a wide range of conditions. Will not flowers if grown in shade.
Soil type
Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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