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Melampodium Derby Seeds
SEASON
Annual
USDA ZONES
4 - 9
HEIGHT
12 inches
WIDTH
12 - 18 inches
BLOOM SEASON
Spring through fall
BLOOM COLOR
Golden yellow
GROWTH RATE
Moderate
ENVIRONMENT
Full sun to partial shade
DEER RESISTANT
Yes
LATIN NAME
Melampodium paludosum
About...
Melampodium (Derby) - Start Melampodium seeds for a ground cover plant that makes a carpet of gold for any sunny location. Also known as Melampodium Butter Daisy or Melampodium Star Daisy, this little annual has 1 inch blooms that do not want to quit blooming and blooming.
MORE GROUND COVER OPTIONS
Planting Directions
TEMPERATURE
68F
AVERAGE GERM TIME
7 - 10 days
LIGHT REQUIRED
Yes
DEPTH
Cover lightly with peat moss
SOIL TYPE
Well-drained, pH 5.5 - 6.2
SOWING RATE
Approximately 200 melampodium seeds covers 10 square feet
MOISTURE
Keep soil steadily moist but not wet
PLANT SPACING
12 inches
Melampodium (Melampodium Paludosum Derby) - Start Melampodium seeds for a ground cover plant that makes a carpet of gold for any sunny location. Also known as Melampodium Butter Daisy or Melampodium Star Daisy, this little annual has 1 inch blooms that do not want to quit blooming and blooming. Melampodium Derby is the gardener's choice for a summer annual who value its low-growing, neatly-rounded habit, effortless summer-long bloom, and versatility of use. Great for containers, edging, the front of the border, ground cover plantings, and just about any other site in sunny soil. Star Daisy seeds begin blooming less than 2 months after sowing and will keep blooming even through the heat and humidity of summer time.
Butter Daisy ground cover is great for containers as well as for a sunny ground cover plant in any garden, Melampodium Derby yellow quickly grows into a neatly rounded, mounding plant with masses and masses of 1-inch daisies. It needs very little care to keep growing and blooming its best, and will self-sow freely if you let it, creating a permanent ground cover for itself in your beds and borders.
Growing Melampodium seed is so rewarding, and you will find this ground cover seed easy to germinate and eager to grow. The plants are free from insect and pest problems, but can become prey to powdery mildew in very humid, moist climates, so make sure they have good air circulation if this is an issue in your garden. This is truly one of the most low-maintenance annual ground covers that you can grow from ground cover seed. Sow Melampodium seeds indoors 7 - 10 weeks for the last expected frost date. Transplant the seedlings outdoors when frost danger has passed.
Common Questions
Do I need to deadhead my spent blooms?
This is a self-sustaining plant that requires no deadheading to keep blooming throughout the season. If you wish to control its tendency to self-seed, you can trim off the faded flowers. At the end of the growing season, you have the option to either remove the plants from the soil or leave them in place, providing food for finches and other birds that enjoy the seeds.
Do I need to fertilize my plants?
Incorporating a slow-release fertilizer or a general-purpose liquid fertilizer into your soil will help your plants to continuously bloom throughout the season. This approach is particularly helpful in less fertile, rocky soils. However, in nutrient-rich garden soil, these plants typically thrive without any additional feeding.
My plants are not blooming, what do I do?
This is a sign your plants need more sunlight. Move your plants to a new location.
How is melampodium best used in the landscape?
Melampodium is a fantastic choice for mixed border gardens located in dry, sunny spots. Its unappealing taste to deer makes it an ideal selection in areas where these animals are an issue. This daisy not only draws butterflies, bees, and other pollinators but also offers seeds that serve as nourishment for goldfinches and various songbirds. Additionally, smaller varieties are perfect for container gardens.
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