Syneilesis aconitifolia
shredded umbrella plant
aSteraceae
Serrated, umbrella-shaped woolly leaves
with drooping lobes; insignificant
pinkish-white flowers
18–24 in. high; 10–12 in. wide
Part shade–sun
Blooms July–September
Zones 5–8
pruning In the spring, this northeast
Asian native emerges with woolly
white leaves in the fashion of our
native May apple (Podophyllum
peltatum). The fascinating and unusual
leaves are serrated and deeply cut and
yes, umbrella shaped, with drooping,
fingerlike lobes. Underwhelming
daisylike sprays of pinkish-white
flowers are borne in the summer on
tall stems above the foliage. I find
them distracting from the true show
and often opt to prune them off. If you
prefer to enjoy the flowers, deadhead
after flowering is complete, to allow
the gorgeous foliage to shine the rest
of the season. In the Pacific Northwest,
this plant can be assertive and may
need consistent pruning.
other maintenance In most of
the country, clumps are generally slow
to increase, eventually reaching about
2 ft. in width after 6–7 years. Plants
prefer moist shade but tolerate drier
conditions once established.
Tanacetum parthenium
(syn. Chrysanthemum parthenium)
feverfew
compoSitaeWhite and yellow buttonlike flowers;
fernlike scented leaves
1–3 ft. high; 2 ft. wide
Full sun–part shade
Blooms June–September
Zones 5–8
pruning Deadhead or shear (with
hedge shears) plants before too many
seeds set, if at all possible, or you
inevitably will have more feverfew
than you could ever want. Feverfew is
short-lived and is often considered
biennial or even annual in nature, so
allowing some seeding keeps plants in
the gardens. Actually, it’s pretty hard
to not have some seeding because it
seems that even with the most diligent
deadheading, seeding occurs. Most
cultivars come true from seed, and
they are easily removed or trans-
planted if not in the perfect spot.
Plants, particularly golden forms, may
need to be sheared all the way down to
new basal growth after flowering to
maintain a strong appearance.
Rebloom may occur. Low growth
usually remains evergreen over the
winter.
Plants can be pinched when they
are about 6–8 in. tall and then again
2–3 weeks later. Or, easier yet, shear
plants back by half when they are 12 in.
tall or so. Flowering may be slightly
delayed with pruning, and fuller, more
compact plants are produced. Fever-
few benefits from a light fertilizing
when it is pinched or cut back.
other maintenance One of the
few members of the daisy family that
actually tolerates some shade. Give the
plants good drainage in the winter to
ensure survival. Dwarf forms often
melt out in high humidity. Needs
division every year or two in the spring
to maintain vigor. (Although I really
can’t imagine dividing feverfew when
there are so many seedlings!) For use
in the informal garden where seeding
is not considered invasive or weedySyneilesis aconitifolia