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Canary Island Marguerite

Argyranthemum foeniculaceum (ar-ji-RAN-the-mum fen-ick-yoo-lah-KEE-um)

Family: Asteraceae Unknown Herbaceous (3-15 ft)

This daisy-like bushy plant is grown as an evergreen herbaceous perennial in its native habitat, which includes North Africa and the Canary Islands, primarily on dry cliffs in rock crevices. In other locations, it can be grown as an annual. It has both male and female organs and is pollinated by insects. It is suitable for both dry and moist locations, however, it will decline when high humidity is present. This drought-tolerant plant cannot grow in shade, full sun is ideal. Ensure to provide a sheltered location with some protection from the afternoon sun in hotter climates. The blooms grow above the leaves, forming a carpet of white. Removal of dead flowers may extend the blooming period. This plant can be reshaped by pruning after all flowering has completed. In some locations worldwide, the plant has been declared as an environmental weed, escaping gardens and creating competition to other native plants. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Will not grow in shade. Aphids and leaf-mining sawflies are common insects. Poor drainage may lead to fungal problems. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center has a factshee t on common pests and diseases.

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 60 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Guild layer 4 - Herbaceous (3-15 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.

Often confused with Leucanthemum vulgare
Fills a similar niche Aralia spinosa Asclepias tuberosa Lantana camara 'Miss Huff'

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Annual
Life cycle
Annual; Perennial; Woody
USDA zones
8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry | Occasionally Wet
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Mounding
Texture
Fine
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Other/more complex
Leaf shape
Obovate
Leaf value
Fragrant
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The gray-green leaves can grow to 4".
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; White
Flower value
Long Bloom Season
Flower form
Head; Solitary
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
The flowers are a daisy-like white with a yellow center. They have a long blooming period.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Multi-branched with ascending stems.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Canary Islands (Tenerife)
Wildlife value
Bees, birds, and butterflies are attracted to the flowers.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Pollinators
Play value
Attracts Pollinators; Wildlife Food Source
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Leaves
Fruit type
Achene

Edibility

The leaves are edible.

Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Patio; Slope/Bank; Walkways
Landscape theme
Butterfly Garden; Cottage Garden; Pollinator Garden
Design feature
Accent; Small groups; Specimen
Garden tags
#yellow flowers #blue leaves #white flowers #full sun tolerant #daisy-like #bird friendly #butterfly friendly #pollinator plant #drought tolerant #problem for dogs #problem for horses #problem for cats #bee friendly #shade intolerant #long bloom time #frost tender #tender perennial #tender #compact #humidity intolerant #wet soils intolerant #annual #wildlife friendly #wildflower
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Aphids on Ornamental Landscape Plants; Aphids Found on Flowers and Foliage
Disease problems
Southern Blight of Herbaceous Ornamentals
Problems
Problem for Cats; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses
Propagation
Seed; Stem Cutting

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.