‘Moonbeam’ is an outstanding cultivar,
but it lacks a bit in winter hardiness.
Winter losses occur with unmulched
plants in zone 5. Seems to prefer a bit
more moisture than the species.
Benefits from afternoon shade in
warmer climates. Divide every 2–3
years to keep vigorous. I have never
had self-seeding with this cultivar.
Leave for winter interest. ‘Rosea’
spreads very quickly to take over large
areas, so it is not recommended for use
in a mixed perennial border but rather
on its own as a groundcover. ‘Zagreb’
grows to 12 in. and requires no staking.
Appears more cold hardy than
‘Moonbeam’. Very drought tolerant.
‘Creme Brulee’ is very popular and has
soft yellow flowers. It is a bit more
vigorous than ‘Moonbeam’, but I still
see overwintering issues after a couple
years, even in well-maintained
gardens.
Cota tinctoria
(syn. Anthemis tinctoria)
golden marguerite
compoSitaeGolden-yellow flower heads; fernlike
foliage with woolly undersides; aromatic
when touched
2–3 ft. high; 2 ft. wide
Full sun
Blooms June–August
Zones 3–7
pruning Plants can be cut back or
pinched before flowering to help
control flopping habit and to create
fuller plants. One effective way to cut
plants back is to prune off 6 in. in early
to mid-May and then cut off another 6
in. in early June; this may delay
flowering. After flowering but before
seeds mature, deadhead to lateral buds
for continued bloom. After secondary
flowers fade, cut plants down to new
basal foliage. A few sporadic blooms
usually will be produced from basal
growth. Unlimited seed production
robs the plant of energy and can lead
to death. Cutting plants back in late
summer, usually late August or early
September, allows more vigorous
vegetative basal shoots to develop for
overwintering, which may help
prolong the life of the plant. The basal
growth remains fairly evergreen; doCoreopsis verticillata
‘Moonbeam’Cota tinctoria ‘Golden Rays’