Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)

Photo by Gayla Trail  All Rights Reserved

I took this photo at my community garden just yesterday where I have a couple of feverfew plants growing. I don’t use them for anything, but like the pretty little flowers. Unfortunately, what I do not like is the invasive nature of this plant and the fact that I have to pull out millions of tiny seedlings in the spring.

And yet I can’t muster up the will to pull them all out. Which means I can expect millions more next spring. And the spring after that.

Gayla Trail
Gayla is a writer, photographer, and former graphic designer with a background in the Fine Arts, cultural criticism, and ecology. She is the author, photographer, and designer of best-selling books on gardening, cooking, and preserving.

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3 thoughts on “Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)

  1. In my garden, feverfew can be temperamental. Sometimes you get a lot of seedlings, sometimes you have to hunt to find one. There are a couple of flower forms. One makes tiny little daisies; mine makes daisies but with a very puffy central disk. Perhaps the simpler flower form is more invasive?

  2. It is a lovely self-seeder, but it can produce allergies in some people and even pets. I had a dog that was terribly allergic to it so I had to be diligent about keeping it out of the garden.

  3. Helen: I think you’re right about the flower form differences. This is definitely the type that makes little daisies.

    Sheila: I’m pretty sure I’m allergic too.

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