Butter Daisy (Melampodium Paludosum)
Fundamental Facts
HARDINESS: Tender
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Near neutral to slightly alkaline
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Fertile, well-drained
PREFERRED LIGHT: Sun
ATTRIBUTES: Deep green heart-shaped leaves dappled with small golden daisies; or beds, hanging baskets, or containers
SEASON OF INTEREST: Early summer to fall
FAVORITES: 'Medallion' for a broad spread; 'Derby' for miniature size; 'Million Gold' for quick flowers
QUIRKS: Transplant when young because of long taproot
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Ageratum, gomphrena, sunflower, tithonia.
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: Full sun in warm climates
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS:Whiteflies, aphids
CRITTER RESISTANCE: Good
SOURCE: Seeds
DIMENSIONS: 8-15 in (20.3-38 cm) tall, to 2 ft (0.6 m) wide
Butter Daisy in the Landscape
In some places you just crave sizzle and plenty of it. And that's the spot for butter daisies. Exceptionally easy to grow, with phenomenally prolific blossom output, butter daisies always seem to be dappled with 1 in (2.5 cm) wide sunshine-colored and sun-shaped flowers against a background of green triangular leaves. Sometimes called melampodium or medallion flower, butter daisies are especially valued because they deliver their punch in small portions. Plants grow only 8-24 in (20.3-61 cm) tall with a similar spread, so their vivid hue works as an accent rather than monopolizing the scene.
Growing Butter Daisy
Butter daisies demand sun. Once that requirement is met, they're perfectly happy to branch out and blossom despite humidity, drought, and sweltering heat. In fact, they bask in hot weather and beg for more. They're self-cleaning, so your time won't be wasted with removing spent flowers. All these qualifications make butter Butter daisies flower despite heat, humidity, and drought. No deadheading is ever required.
A Little Smaller, a Bit Bigger
Comparatively tall 'Medallion' grows to 15 in (38 cm) under normal conditions but will expand to 2 ft (0.6 m) where the soil is rich, all die while covering its branching stems with a bounty of golden blooms. Or, if space is tight, take the opposite tack and opt for the dwarf 8 in (20.3 cm) tall 'Derby' to provide a bite-sized nugget of color. If you need flowers fast, 10 in (25.4 cm) tall 'Million Gold' rushes to the rescue with a profusion of flowers in less than 60 days after being started from seed.
Increasing the Bounty
The fastest way to grow butter daisies is from seeds sown indoors or directly in warm garden soil. For a head start, sow seed indoors 8 weeks before your last spring frost date. Cover the seeds lightly, and keep them moist and in a dark spot until they germinate. Then whisk them immediately into bright light and plant outdoors when the soil warms.
Butter daisies develop a long taproot that anchors the plants in the soil and gives them an edge against drought. However, that same trait makes transplanting difficult when the plants gain maturity. Transplant butter daisies to their permanent home early and water them regularly until they become established. When they're comfortably situated, they'll withstand drought.
Growing Butter Daisy
Lime-loving butter daisies prefer a neutral to slightly alkaline, well-drained soil. When grown in beds, butter daisies often reseed, with seedlings appearing late in spring, after the soil is warm. Although they do endure drought, watering when the soil dries prevents stress. Stressed butter daisies can fall victim to sap-sucking whiteflies or aphids.To get rid of these pests, rinse them from the foliage with a strong stream of water from the hose and spray plants with insecticidal soap.