Nipponanthemum nipponicum
COMMON NAMES
Montauk Daisy, Nippon Daisy
Nipponanthemum (nip-pon-AN-the-mum) – Japanese flower; from the word for Japan and the Greek word for flower
nipponicum (nip-PON-ih-cum) - Japanese
OTHER NAMES / SYNONYMS
Chrysanthemum nipponicum, Leucanthemum nipponicum
GROUP
Dicot
FAMILY
Asteraceae
ORIGIN
Japan
DESCRIPTION
Montauk Daisy is an evergreen herbaceous perennial that averages 2 to 3 feet in height with a comparable spread. It grows in an upright loose or lank form unless pruned regularly to maintain compactness. It has a moderate growth rate.
Leaves are evergreen, oblong to oval in shape, simple with coarse-toothed margins, thick, glossy, averaging 3 to 5 inches long, and dark green in color.
The flowers have white rays and a greenish-yellow center disk. They are 2 to 3 inches across, single, and are borne on long stems. It blooms from mid-summer to fall.
HARDINESS
It is hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9.
LIGHT
Full sun for best flowering; it will tolerate part shade in hotter zones
SALT
Moderate to Good Salt Spray Tolerance – it will grow near the shore but will benefit from a little protection such as behind the first row of plantings or behind the first dunes.
SOIL
It will grow on a wide variety of well-drained soils in the pH range of 5.5 to 6.5.
WATERING
It has good drought tolerance once established, so minimal watering is needed for survival in dry spells. As with most plants, though, ample irrigation in droughts keeps it healthier and looking better.
PROPAGATION
Stem cuttings; division of clumps every 2 or 3 years
PRUNING
Clip or head back in the spring to keep a dense shrub. Deadheading spent flowers will encourage heavier blooming.
FERTILIZING
It has no special fertilizer needs. Unless a soil test suggests otherwise, a slow-release balanced analysis fertilizer applied per the product label will work.
PESTS
Leaf Miners
DISEASES
Root Rots on overly wet soils; Leaf Spots
DEER
Resistant
There are very few totally “deer-proof” plants. There are also, relatively speaking, few plants that are considered a preferred food supply of deer. Most plants fall in the big gap between. One of the biggest variables is the available preferred food supply in a given area. If their preferred food is scarce, they will munch on most anything.
OTHER
Good butterfly plant
USES
Mass planting, mid-borders, mixed plantings, containers, butterfly gardens, rock gardens, cut flower
TOXICITY
A search of California Poison Control, ASPCA, Texas A&M University, Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System, University of Wisconsin, Poisonous Houseplants and Ornamentals - Merck Vet Manual, Purdue University - Guide to Toxic Plants in Forages, Poisonous Plants of the Southeastern United States - Alabama Cooperative Extension, Florida Poison Control, University of California, North Carolina State University, and The Cat Fanciers Association did not show this plant on any of their lists.
University of California lists Chrysanthemum spp. as:
Minor Toxicity: Ingestion of these plants may cause minor illnesses such as vomiting or diarrhea. If ingested, call the Poison Control Center or your doctor.
Dermatitis: The juice, sap, or thorns of these plants may cause a skin rash or irritation. Wash the affected area of skin with soap and water as soon as possible after contact. The rashes may be very serious and painful. Call the Poison Control Center or your doctor if symptoms appear following contact with the plants.
ASPCA lists Chrysanthemum spp. as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.
California Poison Control lists Chrysanthemum spp. as:
Dermal Skin contact with these plants can cause symptoms ranging from redness, itching, and rash to painful blisters like skin burns.
Moderate Ingestion of these plants is expected to cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and other symptoms that may cause illness but is not life-threatening
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