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Barnyard Daisy

Chamaemelum nobile (kam-ay-MEL-um NO-bee-lay)

Family: Asteraceae Non-native Herbaceous (1-3 ft)

Roman chamomile is a low growing herbaceous perennial in the Asteraceae (daisy) family. It is native to Europe and western Asia. Its roots are creeping and sturdy which allows it to spread and keep a firm foundation. This plant grow 1 to 2 feet tall and needs 2 to 4 inches of space when planting to allow its greatest potential. It blooms in the summer on those lazy, summer days and can even bloom into the fall. Provide part sun to full sun in well-drained, moist to dry soils. Wear gloves as it may cause contact dermatitis in some people. Fragrant white flowers in summer into fall and the foliage is fragrant and evergreen. Consider using this problem free plant as a groundcover in a children's grade, cottage garden or near a rock wall as it has a meandering habit. The delicate-looking flowers make for a wonderful edging for any border in your garden or planted along a patio or walkway so the calming fragrance can be enjoyed. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 67 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Guild layer 4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft) Optimal soil pH Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
See companions & conflicts ↓

Companions & Conflicts

Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.

No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.

Also noted by NC State

Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Edible; Ground Cover; Herbaceous Perennial
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in. | Width: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 4 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Spreading
Texture
Fine
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Filiform; Linear; Pinnatisect
Leaf margin
Entire; Lobed
Leaf value
Fragrant; Long-lasting
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Evergreen, fragrant, finely divided leaves. They are sometimes covered in thin, downy hairs.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; White
Flower value
Edible; Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Radial
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
This plant has white daisy-looking flowers with a wonderful aroma/ herbal. It blooms in the summer into the fall.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Stem color
Green
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Europe, India and Western Asia
Wildlife value
This plant attracts bees, other insects and other pollinators. The foliage is aromatic when crushed.
Attracts
Bees; Pollinators
Play value
Attractive Flowers; Fragrance; Wildlife Food Source
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Flowers
Fruit type
Achene

Edibility

Use dried flowers for tea. Drink no more than one cup of tea per day, as it contains thujone, a substance that can be toxic in high doses. Do not use if pregnant.

Uses (ethnobotany)

Use dried flowers for soothing tea, potpourris, or herb pillows. Chamomile has been used as a folk medicine remedy for many ailments.

Landscape Use
Landscape location
Lawn; Recreational Play Area; Rock Wall
Landscape theme
Children's Garden; Cottage Garden; Edible Garden; Pollinator Garden
Design feature
Border; Mass Planting
Garden tags
#edging #fast growing #full sun tolerant #fields #daisy-like #groundcover #children's garden #border planting #victorian garden #pollinator plant #problem for cats #problem for dogs #problem for horses #foot traffic tolerant #herbaceous perennial #evergreen #partial shade tolerant #bee friendly #dried arrangements #cottage garden #contact dermatitis #easy to grow #white flowers #garden walls #playground plant #perennial #tea #fragrant flowers #fragrant leaves #herb garden
Problems & Resistance
Problems
Problem for Cats; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses
Resistant to
Drought; Foot Traffic; Poor Soil
Propagation
Division; Seed
Poison severity
Low
Poison parts
Leaves
Poison symptoms
Contact dermatitis, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and allergic reactions. Long-term use can lead to an increased risk of bleeding.
Toxic principle
Volatile oil containing chamazulene, anthemic acid, thujone
Contact dermatitis
Yes
Toxicity summary
Low severity poison; parts: Leaves; contact dermatitis

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.