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Marguerite
Leucanthemum vulgare (lew-KAN-theh-mum vul-GAIR-ee)
Family: Asteraceae
Non-native Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Herbaceous (3-15 ft) Non-native Prefers well-drained soil in full sun though does tolerate some afternoon shade, particularly in hot, humid climates. Plants spread by rhizomes and should be divided every 2-3 years to maintain vigor. Deadhead flowers to encourage more blooms. Works well planted in perennial beds and borders, in a cottage, wildflower, or night garden. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Aphids, mites and leaf miners are occasional visitors. May be susceptible to verticillium wilt, leaf spots and stem rots.
Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗
NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 52 attributes.
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
Herbaceous Perennial; Perennial; Weed; Wildflower
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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 drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Fine
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Rosulate
Leaf shape
Ovate; Spatulate
Leaf margin
Dentate
Leaf size
3-6 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Basal, toothed, spatulate to ovate 1"-5" long leaves. Longer leaves at the base of the plant; smaller leaves may be pinnatifid.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; White
Flower value
Good Cut; Long-lasting; Showy
Flower form
Head
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Blooms May-August white rays with flattened yellow center disk flowers that resemble the eye of an ox, hence the common name.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Europe to Russian Far East and Caucasus
Distribution
Found all over North America along roadsides disturbed areas
Attracts
Butterflies; Pollinators
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Meadow; Naturalized Area; Near Septic; Patio; Pool/Hardscape; Small Space
Landscape theme
Butterfly Garden; Children's Garden; Cottage Garden; Drought Tolerant Garden; Nighttime Garden; Pollinator Garden
Design feature
Border; Mass Planting
Garden tags
#rabbit resistant #showy flowers #drought tolerant #nighttime garden #cottage garden #deer resistant #small spaces #long-lasting flowers #nectar plant #naturalizes #pollinator plant #spring interest #dry soils tolerant #butterfly friendly #summer flowers #problem for dogs #problem for horses #problem for cats #full sun tolerant #partial shade tolerant #contact dermatitis #white flowers #cutting garden #perennial #wildflower #weedy
Problems & Resistance
Disease problems
Southern Blight of Herbaceous Ornamentals
Problems
Contact Dermatitis; Problem for Cats; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses; Weedy
Resistant to
Deer; Diseases; Dry Soil; Rabbits
Propagation
Division; Root Cutting
Poison severity
Low
Poison parts
Flowers; Leaves
Poison symptoms
Contact with the leaves and flowers can cause contact dermatitis.
Toxic principle
Sesquiterpene lactones
Contact dermatitis
Yes
Toxicity summary
Low severity poison; parts: Flowers; Leaves; contact dermatitis
Planted at Hunnicutt
Nobody’s planted this one yet.