Tall Chamomile: A Mediterranean Wildflower in American Gardens
If you’ve ever spotted delicate white daisy-like flowers blooming in vacant lots or along roadsides, you might have encountered tall chamomile (Anthemis altissima). This feathery-leaved annual has quietly made itself at home in parts of the American landscape, bringing a touch of Mediterranean charm to our native ecosystems.
What Is Tall Chamomile?
Tall chamomile is an annual forb—essentially a non-woody flowering plant that completes its entire life cycle in one growing season. Also known by its scientific synonym Cota altissima, this plant belongs to the large and diverse daisy family. Don’t let the name fool you though; while it’s called chamomile, it’s quite different from the soothing tea-making German chamomile many gardeners know and love.
Where Does It Come From and Where Does It Grow?
Originally hailing from the Mediterranean region of North Africa and Southern Europe, tall chamomile is considered a non-native species in the United States. It has established itself and reproduces without human intervention, currently documented as growing wild in Oregon. The plant has adapted well to American conditions and tends to persist once it takes hold.
Should You Plant Tall Chamomile in Your Garden?
The answer depends on what you’re looking for in your landscape. Here are some considerations:
Reasons You Might Want to Grow It:
- Low-maintenance annual that thrives in poor soils
- Attractive small white flowers with sunny yellow centers
- Provides nectar for small pollinators like bees and beneficial flies
- Self-sows readily, creating naturalized drifts
- Tolerates drought and challenging growing conditions
- Good gap-filler for informal or wild garden areas
Reasons You Might Want to Skip It:
- It’s not native, so it doesn’t support native wildlife as effectively as indigenous plants
- Can self-seed aggressively, potentially crowding out more desirable species
- Limited ornamental value compared to showier garden flowers
- Better native alternatives exist for most garden situations
Native Alternatives to Consider
If you’re drawn to tall chamomile’s daisy-like appearance but prefer supporting native ecosystems, consider these beautiful alternatives:
- Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) – attracts native bees and butterflies
- Shasta daisy cultivars derived from native species
- Native asters (Symphyotrichum species) – crucial fall pollinators
- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) – similar feathery foliage, native varieties available
Growing Tall Chamomile Successfully
If you decide to grow tall chamomile, the good news is that it’s refreshingly undemanding:
Growing Conditions:
- Sunlight: Full sun for best flowering
- Soil: Well-draining soil; actually prefers poor to average fertility
- Water: Drought tolerant once established; avoid overwatering
- Climate: Suitable for USDA zones 3-10 as an annual
Planting and Care Tips:
- Sow seeds directly in spring after last frost
- Seeds need light to germinate, so barely cover them
- Thin seedlings to prevent overcrowding
- Deadhead flowers to prevent excessive self-seeding if desired
- Allow some flowers to go to seed if you want plants to return next year
- No fertilization needed—rich soils may actually reduce flowering
The Bottom Line
Tall chamomile is one of those plants that falls into the perfectly fine but not spectacular category. It won’t win any garden beauty contests, but it’s reliable, easy-going, and provides some value to small pollinators. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with growing it, your garden space might be better served by native alternatives that offer similar benefits while supporting local wildlife more effectively.
If you do choose to grow tall chamomile, enjoy its unpretentious charm and easy-care nature—just keep an eye on its self-seeding tendencies to ensure it doesn’t become more enthusiastic than you bargained for!
