Looking at Plants

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