Tanacetum vulgare Seeds: Cow Bitter, Golden Buttons

Tanacetum vulgare Seeds, Common Tansy, Bitter Buttons

Key Features & Details Cow Bitter

• Sowing: Sow seeds in spring after the last likelihood of frost has passed, or in autumn. Seeds can be scattered over prepared soil and lightly raked, or started indoors in March. Cover seeds thinly, as they need light to germinate. Plant out seedlings approximately 3 feet (90 cm) apart.
• Notes: The plant can spread rapidly by rhizomes and prolific seed production, so consider planting in a contained area or deadheading/shearing spent blooms to control self-seeding. It is an excellent attractant and nectar source for bees and other beneficial insects. Its strong scent deters a range of garden pests.

Botanical Information Golden Buttons

• Botanical Name: Tanacetum vulgare
• Common Names: Common Tansy, Bitter Buttons, Cow Bitter, Golden Buttons
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Flower Color: Bright Yellow
• Flower Time: Mid-to-late summer (July-October)
• Height: 1-5 feet (30-150 cm)

Characteristics and Usage Common Tansy

• Aromatic perennial herb
• Low-maintenance
• Drought tolerant once established
• Excellent for naturalized areas, cottage gardens, and herb gardens
• Good for fresh cut or dried floral arrangements
• Attracts beneficial insects and pollinators
• Known for its insect-repellent properties (deters ants, asparagus beetles, cabbage butterflies, cabbage maggots, carrot rust flies, Colorado potato beetles, cucumber beetles, cutworms, flies, Japanese beetles, mosquitoes, and squash bugs)
• Dried leaves and flowers can be used in sachets or potpourri to repel indoor pests
• Can be used to make a natural insecticide spray by steeping its leaves and flowers in water
• Flowers can be used to produce a golden yellow dye
• Beneficial for compost heaps (enriches with potassium)

Growing Conditions Bitter Buttons

• Sunlight: Prefers full sun to partial shade, growing best with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. It can appreciate some afternoon shade in hot summer climates.
• Soil: Adaptable and will grow in almost any well-drained soil, including dry and poor soils. While it tolerates a wide range, it prefers moist, humus-rich soils. Avoid waterlogged or damp areas.
• Habitat: Native to temperate Europe and Asia, Tansy is a perennial that is hardy to USDA Zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is adaptable to various climates, including arid/semi-arid, warm temperate, and cold temperate.
• Moisture: Drought-tolerant once established, requiring regular watering only when young or during extended periods of heat and drought. Keep the soil moist until seedlings emerge.
• Germination: Germination may be quicker at temperatures around 20°C (68°F). Some seeds may require winter chilling (cold stratification at 4-7 degrees Celsius for 4 weeks) for best results, germinating the following spring. Seedlings typically emerge in 14-21 days.
• Propagation: Can spread rapidly by rhizomes and prolific seed production.
• Additional Notes: Hardy, low-maintenance plant adaptable to various climates. Consider planting in a contained area or deadheading/shearing spent blooms to control self-seeding, as it can spread aggressively.

Uses and Garden Appeal

• Attracts Wildlife: Bees and other beneficial insects.