Garden Care Guide

Golden Marguerite Care

Anthemis tinctoria

A very drought-tolerant plant that blooms all summer with yellow, daisy-like flowers. It likes full sun and well-drained, even poor soil; its worst enemy is heavy soil that stays wet in winter.

Hardy · -25 °C / -13 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Watering: Never, winter rainfall is sufficient and excess may cause rot.
  • Pruning: If dry stalks left from last season have not been cleared, cut them now.
  • General care: To prevent root rot, make sure the soil drains well.
  • Pests & diseases: Root collar rot (crown rot) is the biggest risk.
  • Frost risk: None; it is frost tolerant.
February
  • Watering: Never, winter rainfall is sufficient.
  • Pruning: Not needed; new leaves grow from the base.
  • General care: Keep the area around the root collar airy and clean.
  • Pests & diseases: Watch out for the risk of root rot.
  • Frost risk: None; it is frost tolerant.
March
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • Fertilizing: If the soil is very poor, compost or slow-release fertilizer can be applied once only; do not overapply; seek advice.
  • Plant protection: Check the new shoots for aphids (neem oil).
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
  • Pests & diseases: Check for aphids.
April
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • Pruning: You can pinch out shoot tips to make the plant fuller and more compact.
  • Plant protection: Check for aphids.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
  • Pests & diseases: Watch out for root rot.
May
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • Pruning: To prolong flowering, regularly cut the fading flowers (deadheading).
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Suitable period for planting and transplanting. Drainage is critical for this plant. In heavy, water-retaining soil, plant on a mound or bed raised 20-30 cm; the root collar should remain above the surrounding soil level.
  • Pests & diseases: If you see black spots with yellow halos on the leaves (black spot), collect the diseased leaves and remove them from the garden; the disease overwinters in fallen leaves.
June
  • Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
  • Pruning: To prolong flowering, regularly cut the fading flowers.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Flowering begins.
  • Pests & diseases: If you see black spots with yellow halos on the leaves (black spot), collect the diseased leaves and remove them from the garden; the disease overwinters in fallen leaves.
July
  • Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. Water so that the soil is wetted to a depth of 10-15 cm from the surface.
  • Pruning: To prolong flowering, regularly cut the fading flowers.
  • General care: Flowering continues.
  • Pests & diseases: No significant known problems.
August
  • Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. Water so that the soil is wetted to a depth of 10-15 cm from the surface.
  • Pruning: To prolong flowering, regularly cut the fading flowers.
  • General care: Flowering continues.
  • Pests & diseases: No significant known problems.
September
  • Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month. Water newly planted specimens more often than established plants during the first year; the root system is still shallow.
  • Pruning: Keep removing spent flowers. At the end of the month you can leave some to set seed for new plants.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Suitable period for planting and transplanting. Flowering continues.
  • Pests & diseases: If you see black spots with yellow halos on the leaves (black spot), collect the diseased leaves and remove them from the garden; the disease overwinters in fallen leaves.
October
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • Pruning: Prune as soon as flowering ends. Next year's flower buds form over the summer; late pruning reduces flowering. After flowering ends, cut the branches back by one third to encourage a compact form and a second flush of flowers. Regularly remove spent flower stalks.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
  • Pests & diseases: To prevent root rot, make sure the soil is free-draining.
November
  • Pruning: If it has not been pruned yet, cut all stalks 10-15 cm above the ground.
  • General care: In winter rains, make sure water does not pool in the root zone; for this plant, drainage is more critical than irrigation.
  • Pests & diseases: Keep the root collar clean against winter wetness.
December
  • Pruning: The plant is resting.
  • General care: Keep the root zone clean.
  • Pests & diseases: Make sure drainage is not blocked.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

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