Overview
Matricaria is a bushy annual biennial in the genus Matricaria, part of the Asteraceae family, with deciduous foliage. Matricaria grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam and sand soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include wildflower meadow and wildlife gardens.
About
Matricaria, commonly known as maiden weed or matricary, is a bushy cultivar of the Matricaria genus, which belongs to the Asteraceae family. This resilient annual plant is noted for its fragrant scent and upright, extensively branching stems with abundant bipinnate foliage. It thrives in full sun, favouring east, south, or west-facing, exposed aspects with well-drained loam or sandy soils of varying pH. Matricaria is hardy to UK zone H7 and is well suited to wildflower meadows and wildlife gardens, offering interest through its daisy-like white petals and yellow-centred flowers in summer and autumn.
About the genus
Matricaria is a genus of flowering plants in the chamomile tribe within the sunflower family. Some of the species have the common name of "mayweed", but this name also refers to plants not in this genus.
Wikipedia contributors, "Matricaria", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Matricaria
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Matricaria
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
Matricaria size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- Wildflower meadow, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Matricaria
- Propagation
- Seed
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Matricaria?
Matricaria prefers full sun. It suits exposed positions.
What soil does Matricaria need?
Matricaria grows best in loam and sand soil. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Matricaria hardy in the UK?
Matricaria has an RHS hardiness rating of H7, meaning it is fully hardy throughout the UK, tolerating temperatures below -20°C.
How do I propagate Matricaria?
Seed.