Painted Daisy Tanacetum coccineum 'Eileen May Robinson'

Water

The Painted Daisy 'Eileen May Robinson' prefers consistent moisture, especially during its active growing season in spring and summer. Water the plant when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which typically equates to about once a week. Depending on the climate and weather conditions, you may need to adjust watering frequency. When watering, aim to provide enough water to moisten the soil without causing standing water; this can roughly be up to 1 gallon for a mature plant in a standard garden setting every week. During the winter, reduce watering as the plant's growth slows down.

Light

Painted Daisy 'Eileen May Robinson' thrives in full sunlight to partial shade. The ideal location is a spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily, although it can tolerate some afternoon shade. Avoid deep shade, as it can lead to leggy growth and fewer blooms.

Temperature

Painted Daisy 'Eileen May Robinson' can tolerate a temperature range from 40 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. To ensure vigorous growth and bloom, maintain an ideal temperature between 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. These plants may not survive winter in areas where temperatures drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit for extended periods.

Pruning

Prune Painted Daisy 'Eileen May Robinson' to deadhead spent flowers and encourage further blooming. Additionally, cut back the plant in late fall or early winter after the plant has finished flowering and the foliage begins to die back. Pruning can be done every few weeks during the blooming season to maintain shape and health.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

The Painted Daisy 'Eileen May Robinson' thrives in a well-draining soil mix with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5. A recommended soil mix would be one part garden soil, one part peat moss or coconut coir, and one part perlite or sand to ensure proper drainage. Regular fertilization during the growing season will promote healthy growth.

Repotting

Painted Daisies including 'Eileen May Robinson' should be repotted every 2 to 3 years or as needed if they outgrow their current pots. It's best to repot in the spring just before new growth starts.

Humidity & Misting

Painted Daisy 'Eileen May Robinson' prefers average humidity levels and does not require any special humidity considerations beyond what is typically found in an outdoor environment.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Provide bright light and well-draining soil for indoor growth.

• Outdoor

  Plant in full sun to part shade in fertile, well-drained soil.

• Hardiness zone

  The Painted Daisy 'Eileen May Robinson' is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3-7.

Life cycle

Tanacetum coccineum 'Eileen May Robinson', commonly known as Painted Daisy 'Eileen May Robinson', begins its life cycle as a seed, which when sown in moist, well-draining soil and under appropriate temperature conditions, will germinate. The plant soon develops a rosette of feathery, fern-like leaves at the base, marking its vegetative growth stage. As it matures, stems elongate, and the plant enters the flowering stage, typically in late spring to early summer, producing its characteristic white daisy-like flowers with yellow centers. After pollination, which is aided by insects, the flowers develop into achenes, a type of dry fruit, signifying the plant's reproductive phase. Once mature, these seeds are dispersed by wind or other means and can give rise to new plants, continuing the cycle. The Painted Daisy is a perennial, meaning after the flowering and seed-production stages, it goes into a period of dormancy in autumn and winter and then re-emerges during the next growing season.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring to early summer

• The most popular method of propagation for the Painted Daisy 'Eileen May Robinson' is by division. This is typically done in early spring or autumn when the plant is not in active bloom. To propagate by division, carefully dig up an established clump of the plant and gently separate it into smaller sections, each with a portion of the root system and several shoots. These sections can then be immediately replanted into a well-draining soil mix, ensuring that the crown of the plant — where the roots meet the stems — is just at soil level. After planting, water the divisions thoroughly to help establish them. With proper care, these new plants should develop into strong, blooming specimens, replicating the charming pink flowers of the 'Eileen May Robinson' variety.