Melampodium leucanthum
Blackfoot Daisy
Description
Small mounding perennial grows quickly to 1' x 2'. White daisylike flowers with yellow centers cover the plant nearly year-round The leaves are narrow and gray-green. Accepts full sun or partial shade but blooms better in the sun. Bright and colorful groundcover. Plant in well-drained soil. Native to the southwest U.S. and Mexico.
Maintenance Tips
Melampodium leucanthum or the Blackfoot Daisy, is a small herbaceous perennial that reaches 12 – 18" tall and wide. It is very drought and heat-tolerant and requires very little maintenance to look and perform its best. Once the plant is established, it requires very little water, but it does tend to have a much longer blooming cycle if it is offered supplemental water during the spring and summer. It is very attractive to birds, butterflies, and bees and is usually pest-free. As an herbaceous perennial, it can be attractive to aphids and other soft-bodied insects that can damage the foliage. Instead of using pesticides to control these pests, it would be better to use a hard jet of water or even bring in ladybugs to treat the infestation. That will ensure the beneficial insects and birds can continue to enjoy the flowers.