Yellow Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), also known as Double Golden Buttons, is a perennial herb renowned for its bright, golden-yellow flowers that bloom in late summer. The plant’s fern-like foliage and striking, button-like flower clusters make it an attractive addition to any garden. While often used in ornamental landscapes, Yellow Tansy has a long history in traditional medicine and is known for its strong, aromatic scent. With 100 seeds in this packet, you can grow this hardy, low-maintenance herb in your garden, creating a beautiful, pollinator-friendly landscape.
Key Features:
- Bright Yellow Flowers: Yellow Tansy produces vibrant, double golden-yellow flower heads that resemble small buttons, creating a bold and cheerful display in the garden.
- Fern-Like Foliage: The plant has finely divided, fern-like leaves that add texture and interest to the garden even when it is not in bloom.
- Pollinator-Friendly: The flowers are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, making it a great choice for supporting local ecosystems.
- Hardy Perennial: Yellow Tansy is a perennial that returns year after year, providing long-lasting beauty and function in the garden.
- Medicinal & Practical Uses: Traditionally used as a natural insect repellent, Yellow Tansy has various medicinal properties and is known to help with digestive issues and to have anti-inflammatory effects.
Growing Information:
- Light: Yellow Tansy thrives in full sun but can tolerate light shade. For best results, plant it in a location where it will receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
- Soil: Prefers well-drained, slightly alkaline soil (pH 7.0-8.0). Yellow Tansy is tolerant of poor soils, making it ideal for tough garden spots. It can even tolerate some drought once established.
-
Planting Tips:
- Sow seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost or sow directly outdoors after the frost has passed.
- Scatter seeds on the surface of moist soil and lightly press them in. Yellow Tansy seeds need light to germinate, so do not cover them with soil.
- Germination typically occurs in 14-21 days at temperatures around 65-70°F (18-21°C).
- Once seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them to a sunny garden bed with well-drained soil. Space plants 12-18 inches apart to allow for proper growth.
- Watering: Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist during the growing season. However, Yellow Tansy is drought-tolerant once established and does not require constant moisture. Be careful not to overwater.
Benefits:
- Ornamental Value: Yellow Tansy’s bright golden-yellow flowers and fern-like leaves make it a visually striking plant, perfect for adding color and texture to garden beds, borders, or wildflower meadows.
- Pollinator Support: The flowers are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, making Yellow Tansy an excellent choice for creating a pollinator-friendly garden.
- Medicinal Uses: In traditional herbal medicine, Yellow Tansy has been used for its digestive benefits, as it is believed to help with bloating, indigestion, and other gastrointestinal issues. It is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
- Natural Pest Control: Yellow Tansy has a strong scent that acts as a natural insect repellent. It can help deter pests like aphids and mosquitoes, making it a useful companion plant in vegetable or herb gardens.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, Yellow Tansy is a hardy, low-maintenance plant that requires little care beyond regular watering and occasional pruning to keep it tidy.
Growing Zones:
- Suitable for USDA Zones 3-8. Yellow Tansy is hardy and can withstand a range of temperatures, making it adaptable to various climates.
How to Use in the Garden:
- Border & Flower Beds: Plant Yellow Tansy in the back or middle of flower beds and borders to add height and a pop of golden color. It pairs well with other summer-blooming perennials like coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, and lavender.
- Pollinator Gardens: Include Yellow Tansy in a pollinator-friendly garden to attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. The bright flowers provide a valuable food source for pollinators during late summer.
- Wildflower Meadows: Use Yellow Tansy to add structure and bold color to wildflower meadows or naturalistic garden designs. It works well in mixed plantings with other wildflowers and grasses.
- Herb Gardens: While primarily an ornamental plant, Yellow Tansy’s historical use in herbal medicine and its insect-repellent properties make it a valuable addition to herb gardens.
- Companion Planting: Use Yellow Tansy near vegetable gardens or herb gardens to help deter pests like aphids and mosquitoes naturally. Its strong scent can help protect your other plants from insect damage.
Conclusion: Yellow Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), with its vibrant golden-yellow flowers and fern-like foliage, is a versatile and low-maintenance addition to any garden. Not only does it offer ornamental beauty, but it also provides practical benefits, including pollinator support, natural pest control, and medicinal uses. Whether you are growing it for its striking blooms, its ability to attract beneficial insects, or its role as a natural insect repellent, Yellow Tansy will enhance your garden with its color, texture, and functionality. With 100 seeds in this packet, you can easily cultivate this hardy perennial and enjoy its beauty and benefits year after year.