Bellidiastrum michelii
Bellidiastrum michelii · Asteraceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant bellidiastrum michelii: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Common name
- Alpine Daisy
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Type
- Perennial herbaceous plant
- Flowering
- April to June
- Adult size
- 15 to 30 cm in height
- Foliage
- Persistent, finely cut
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, down to -15°C
- Origin
- Alps (France, Italy, Switzerland)
Care
Sunlight
Install Bellidiastrum michelii in full sun or partial shade for optimal flowering. This plant appreciates direct light for at least 4 hours per day. It tolerates slightly shaded locations well in warm regions.
Soil and planting
Prefer well-draining, light, and slightly chalky soil, as this alpine species dislikes stagnant moisture. Enrich the soil with gravel or coarse sand when planting. It adapts well to poor soils typical of rocky areas.
Watering
Water moderately during the growing period and during prolonged droughts. Let the soil dry slightly between waterings. Reduce watering in winter, especially if the soil is naturally moist.
Fertilizer
No regular fertilizer applications are necessary, as this alpine plant thrives in poor soils. A light application of well-decomposed compost in spring may be sufficient if the soil is particularly poor.
Pruning and maintenance
Regularly remove spent flowers to extend the flowering period and stimulate new stem production. In late winter or early spring, tidy up the foliage by removing dried or diseased parts.
Diseases and pests
Generally very resistant, this daisy mainly dislikes excessive moisture which can promote rot and mildew. Ensure good air circulation and avoid foliar watering. Pests remain exceptional on this robust species.
Did you know?
Bellidiastrum michelii is named after the French botanist Pierre Micheli, an 18th-century Florentine botanist. This small alpine daisy is highly appreciated by rock gardeners and mountain garden enthusiasts, where it flowers abundantly alongside saxifrages and sempervivums, creating carpets of white flowers with golden centers.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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- SneezewortAchillea ptarmica
- Canadian goldenrodSolidago canadensis
- WormwoodArtemisia absinthium
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.