Mexican Tree Daisy

Don looks at one of the largest daisy bushes in the world!

Plant details

Common name: Mexican tree daisy

Botanic name: Montanoa bipinnatifida

Description

Tree daisies grow to around 5m (15') tall. They are evergreen plants with large, divided leaves and long, branching, bamboo-like stems. In late autumn/early winter they produce a spectacular display of white daisy flowers with yellow centres.

Best climate

Tree daisies grow best in tropical and subtropical climates. In cold or frosty areas select a sheltered position or protect plants when young.

Good points

masses of cheerful, daisy flowers flowers appear in autumn and winter when not much is happening in the garden large, spectacular leaves easy to grow useful for background planting in warm climate gardens

Downside

stems are brittle and may need protection from strong winds considered a weed in Hawaii and other parts of the United States

Care

Provide a warm, frost-free climate with plenty of water, then just plant your tree daisy and stand back.

Other giant plants include

tree dahlias (Dahlia imperialis also known as D. excelsa) in both white and pink forms
sunflowers (grown from seed, the Australian record for the tallest sunflower is 5m)
hollyhocks can grow 2m or so and are good in cool climates
tree marigolds (Tithonia diversifolia - yellow flowers)
Mexican sunflowers (Tithonia rotundifolia - orange flowers but smaller growing to around 1.5m)

Cost and availability

Mexican tree daisies are available from Yamina Rare Plants in Victoria, phone: (03) 9756 6335 and fax (03) 9752 0308, web: www.yaminarareplants.com.au and email address: sdteese@ozemail.com.au. 170mm (7") pots cost $19. There is another species of tree daisy, Montanoa arborescens which is also grown at Yamina Rare Plants. Also check fetes and sales at botanic gardens. Mexican tree daisies grow very easily from cuttings. Tree dahlias and tithonias are available from Digger's Seeds. Phone: (03) 5987 1877. Giant sunflowers such as 'Sun Giant' are available from seed specialists such as New Gippsland Seeds & Bulbs, phone (03) 9737 9560, or Atlantic Seeds, phone (03) 9786 0337.

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