Stephen Albert
Nippon daisy, Nipponanthemum, can brighten the late summer and autumn garden with its white daisy flowers and shiny green leaves. It is a drought-tolerant perennial that is prized for its long-lasting cut flowers.
Plant Nippon daisies in groups of seven or more for best effect. It is an excellent choice for mid-borders. Nippon daisies tend to lose their lower leaves so it’s good to plant smaller perennials in front to cover up the leafless lower stems.
Nippon daisy will attract butterflies to the garden. Because it prefers dry soil, it is a good choice for sunny flower beds, rock gardens, and xeriscaping.
Get to know Nippon Daisy
- Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
- Growing Zones and range: 5-9
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Height and width: 1½ to 3 feet tall and wide
- Foliage: Thick, oblong, coarse-toothed glossy, dark green leaves are 3 ½ inches long
- Flowers: Flower heads are white rays with a green center disk are 2 to 3 inches wide; flowers appear on long stalks
- Bloom time: Late summer and autumn
- Uses: Perennial border, rock gardens, xeriscaping, cut flowers
- Botanical name:Nipponanthemum nipponicum; formerly known as Chrysanthemum nipponicum
- Common name: Nippon daisy, Montauk daisy
Where to plant Nippon Daisy
- Grow Nippon daisy in full sun; plants will tolerate light shade in hot regions.
- Nippon daisy grows easily in average, dry, well-drained soil.
- Nippon daisy has no serious insect or disease problems. Leaf spot, stem rots, and leaf miners are infrequent problems.
When to plant Nippon Daisy
- Set Nippon daisy in the garden in spring or fall.
Planting and spacing Nippon Daisy
- Space plants 3 feet apart.
How to water and feed Nippon Daisy
- Nippon daisy prefers drier soil. Allow the soil to dry between waterings. It is drought tolerant.
- Fertilize Nippon daisy with an all-purpose fertilizer 10-10-10 in spring. Do not overfeed Nippon daisy or it will grow rangey.
Nippon Daisy care
- New growth can be cut back slightly in spring to maintain plant compactness and encourage bushy growth.
- Remove flower heads to promote additional blooms.
- Cut back plants in late fall or early spring; this will revitalize the root clumps.
- Divide clumps every 2 to 3 years t maintain vigor.
Nippon Daisy propagation
- Lift and divide root clumps every couple of years. Separate the root clump into sections; discard old and withered sections of root.
