Feverfew Plant
A Close Look At The Feverfew Plant
The Feverfew plant is a member of the daisy family. It has value as a specimen plant in the garden, as a ground cover, and for medicinal uses. While one can find out a great deal about the Feverfew plant by thumbing through various plant catalogs, if you really want to get an idea of what the plant might do for your garden (or to your garden), a close look into various plant and gardening forums addressing the Feverfew plant can be enlightening.
Synonyms for the Feverfew plant are Chrysanthemum parthenium and Pyrethrum parthenium. It is a moderately tall growing perennial, usually growing to about 2’. It makes a nice border plant but, as it re seeds freely, very freely in fact, can at times become invasive. It is hardy in USDA Zones 5 through 9 though there are those that claim the plant will do quite well in Zone 3 and even in Zone 2.
Green Thumb Not Required - If you're looking for an attractive plant that will grow in most any soil, in fact it practically grows in rock, and requires very little moisture, the Feverfew plant may be for you, whether to add some brightness to a location where little else will grow, or for use as a ground cover for an areas having poor soil. The Feverfew plant will bloom throughout the summer months and into late fall. It is not particularly attractive when going to seed, or once it has gone to seed, but can be cut back once the peak of its blooming is behind it.
The Fuzzy Carpet Plant - As far as re seeding is concerned, the profusion of seeds will sometimes result in a green fuzzy carpet in the early spring. The little sprouts can be turned under, or once large enough, are easily pulled up. It's just that there are so many of them, and once established, they tend to pop up in unusual places, year after year. The Feverfew plant is therefore a colorful and attractive flower, which can also become a colorful and attractive weed. Most gardeners willingly put up with this, though some do not.
Medicinal Value - The Feverfew plant has definite medicinal value, and is especially noted for its treatment of migraines. The plant also has strong anti-inflammatory properties. While you could make your own herbal tea, tablets purchased at a pharmacy or health food store are probably a better bet. It has been said that chewing on the leaves, if you can stand the bitter taste, will help soothe and aching head, but can also cause blisters in the mouth or on the lips. Deer and rabbits do not like this plant, nor do bees. If you taste the leaves you'll understand why. The plant has an extremely bitter taste. Feverfew supplements, though useful in treatment of migraines, should not be during pregnancy.
Besides keeping deer, rabbits, and bees away, the Feverfew plant's leaves and flowers can be effectively used as a moth deterrent, though some people do not particularly like the smell, as it is somewhat pungent, especially when a leaf has been crushed.
A Nice (?) Little Gift - Though often sown from seed, the Feverfew plant can be propagated form cuttings or root division as well. It transplants easily, offering one solution to a plant growing in the wrong location, or you can just give any spare plants to the neighbors, like you would zucchini. Just don't tell them that in two or three years they may also be giving plants away. You might be nice and tell them to deadhead the plant once the blooms are spent, so they won't be broadcasting seeds.