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Annual Biennial

Anthemis cotula
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

stinking mayweed

A branching annual to about 60cm tall, with bright green pinnately lobed leaves, and pungently-scented flowers in flowerheads to 30mm across, white with a yellow disk, the rays spreading at first but becoming reflexed and produced through summer

Other common names
chiggerweed
dillweed
see moredog's fennel
fetid chamomile
Johnny Appleseed's weed
madders
maise
manthern
mather
mawther
mawthern
maythic
mazes
moithern
morgan
Morgan's weed
pathweed
pigsty daisy
stinking chamomile
dog daisy
dog's chamomile
flake
hog fennel
mathes
mayweed
ox-eye chamomile
camri'r cŵn
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer White Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB / Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading branched
Genus

Anthemis can be perennials or annuals, with finely divided, aromatic leaves and showy white or yellow daisies

Name status

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in any sharply-drained (sandy or gravelly) soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, and aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews

Get involved

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