Melampodium leucanthum
Native to Mexico and parts of the United States , including the sou'-west and the Central Plains , blackfoot daisy is a cheerful , drouth - large-minded works that can take the warmth and still shine brilliantly .
This evergreen plant repeated member of theAsteraceae familyhas a low , round , bushy kind and develop an abundance of one - inch , blank , daisy - like flowers from early spring through late spill .
The sorry gullible foliation consists of 2 - in - farseeing , narrow , oblong leaves .
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The lightly fragrant efflorescence have an attractive bright yellow heart that resemble a pincushion . They attract bees and butterflies , and the seeds make a tasty snack for birds in the wintertime .
“ Blackfoot ” refers to the bract that surrounds each seed that is shaped like a animal foot , and turn inglorious as it maturate .
Hardy inUSDA Hardiness Zones5 - 11 , blackfoot daisy grows six to 12 inches improbable , with a ranch of 12 to 24 inch .
Its numerous aliases include rock daisy , desert daisy , ash tree grey blackfoot , plains blackfoot , and arnica .
Let ’s learn more !
What You’ll Learn
This small - sustenance wild flower is ideal for develop in gardens with dry , jolting soil or xeriscapes . It grows prolifically in open grassland and desert scrublands .
Sometimes disconcert with the native desert zinnia , Zinnia acerosa , the flowers of the blackfoot daisy have 8 - 10 white petals , while desert zinnia have 4 - 6 , and they are all-embracing .
Blackfoot Daisy Propagation
Blackfoot daisy propagate well from germ – either planted or scattered by the wind . Or you could take cutting from an existing plant life , or buy transplant from a local garden mall or nursery .
It is not suitable for propagation by sectionalization as it has a cryptical taproot , and is difficult to transplant once it has become established .
From Seed
Direct sow seed outdoors in the fall . Plant seeds 1/8 inch deep , space 12 inches apart , and water in well .
Alternatively , you canstart seeds indoorssix weeks before winter ’s last frost . If sowing indoors , inhuman stratify the germ before planting them .
To do this , locate them in a certain container in the refrigerator for about four weeks prior to sowing .
Blackfoot daisy will liberally reseed itself and become naturalized in the landscape , though not to the point of becoming invasive .
From Cuttings
From an live industrial plant , take a 4 to 6 - in cutting . move out any buds or flowers , and the lower leaves .
Dip the cut end into a powdered rout endocrine and property in well - draining ground , or a soilless grow mass medium .
Maintain even moisture , but do not allow the planting medium to become waterlogged .
From Seedlings or Transplanting
Transplant seedling – those you ’ve farm or purchased from a garden center – after all danger of frost has go past .
Wait to transplant until they are about six inches tall but before they have started budding , to minimize transplant shock .
industrial plant at the same astuteness as the container from which you are transplant in well - drain soil , and pass on 12 inches of spaace between plant .
Water in well , and keep the transplantation moist but not waterlogged until they become show .
How to Grow Blackfoot Daisy Flowers
Blackfoot daisy prefer full Sunday , but it will tolerate a moment of tone . And if you live in an areawhere the sunlight blaze away for 14 hours a day , you most definitely need to provide some good afternoon shade .
This industrial plant requires well - drained soil , and its roots will waste if they ’re tight for too long . It favor juiceless , stony , gravelly , sandlike territory and will tolerate calcareous , limestone , and caliche stain .
Once established , M. leucanthumis extremely drouth tolerant . It will boom when irrigate profoundly only two or three times during the summer months , and once a calendar month in wintertime .
You do n’t have to feed blackfoot daisy , as it prefers poor soil conditions .
To grow it in containers , add some sand or perlite to your potting mix to ensure it drains well .
You may need toprovide additional irrigationas the dirt in container tends to dry out more quickly than in the garden .
Growing tips
Pruning and Maintenance
As plants mature , they may become leggy . you’re able to thin out them back in late wintertime to further a more compact and shaggy-coated form .
you’re able to deadheadyou wish , but it ’s not necessary – the flower will bloom disregardless .
If you wish to harvest the seeds , permit the seed heads to dry on the plants , then take them .
rock the ejaculate chief into a paper bag and store in a cool , dry spot , or seed directly in another area of the garden .
Where to Buy Blackfoot Daisies
Your best bet for source this plant is to check with your local garden center , or see if friends and neighbors are growing it , and take cut or collect cum .
Managing Pests and Disease
This tough plant is deer - resistant , and is more often than not not plagued by insect pestilence .
The only issue to check out for is root decomposition because of fungi , if the plant life is spring up in soil that does not run out well . IfM. leucanthumis allow to stand in marshy soil , it will fail to fly high , and send packing its leave of absence and blooms .
If you pull up your plant and see kitschy roots , root putrefaction is probable the culprit . If the whole root scheme is pretend , you ’ll have to discard the plant .
If some sizable roots remain , clip aside the mushy roots , and either deposit the drainage problem or relocate the plant to a more desirable location , with soil that does not become waterlogged .
Best Uses for Blackfoot Daisy Flowers
Blackfoot daisy look lovely and perform very well in rock gardens orwildflower meadows .
It can also be grow in container or in mass plantings as a ground natural covering – just be cognizant that the stem are quite unannealed , so it is not suited for growing in high - traffic areas .
Some nurseryman use it as a edge plant life amongst cacti , succulents , or other drouth - tolerant works .
Quick Reference Growing Guide
A Whole List of Awesomeness
Drought - tolerant ? Check . Heat- and Lord’s Day - patient of ? mark . Low maintenance ? Check . Long blooming season ? cheque !
What are you waiting for ? If you ’re looking for a durable , pretty plant that ’s happy to hang out in your less - than - organically - rich soil , blackfoot daisy is calling your name .
If you are looking for more information aboutgrowing drouth tolerant plants , you ’ll call for these guides next :
© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . Originally published March 22nd , 2020 . Last update May 15th , 2023 . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock . With additional writing and editing by Clare Groom and Allison Sidhu .
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Gretchen Heber
