Engelmann’s Daisy, Cutleaf Daisy (Engelmannia peristenia)

Story and photo by Ruthbeth Finerman

Awarded 2015 “Plant Select” honors, Engelmann Daisy is a single species herbaceous perennial in the aster family (Asteraceae). Its name pays tribute to German immigrant physician and botanist George Engelmann (1809-1884), who documented many native North American plants and helped found the Missouri Botanical Garden. The species term peristenia derives from Greek (parisso, meaning either an “excessive” or “odd number” and tenia signifying a “ribbonlike structure”). A synonym, Engelmannia pinnatifida or “feather shaped,” references its tapered flower petals.

This hardy, low-maintenance plant features prolific and exceptionally long-flowering blooms. A large crown of golden-yellow 8-petaled blossoms up to 2 inches in diameter cluster at the branching end of sturdy 2- to 3-foot-tall stems. The stems sprout from a basal rosette of dark green, 3-inch-long leaves that are deeply cleft, the source of its other common name, cutleaf daisy. In lower elevations the rosette remains evergreen. In summer the flowers may droop in the afternoon but reopen the next morning.

Landscape use: Masses of bright yellow blossoms add vibrant color to sunny xeric gardens and rocky slopes. Flowering from late spring through late fall, the Engelmann daisy is also a reliable source of nectar and pollen for native pollinators, especially bees and butterflies, and seeds that attract birds. Its deep tap root makes it an excellent resource for erosion control. While not aggressive, it will sometimes self-seed.

Planting and Care: Place in full sun to maximize flower production. It thrives on loam but is highly adaptable to a range of soils; specimens are found on roadways and hillsides with dry, sandy or limestone soils. While blooming increases with moderate watering during dry periods, it tolerates drought once established. The roots need good drainage and overwatering can trigger rot. Deer resistant but high in protein, rabbits and cattle sometimes browse the tender basal leaves of young specimens but largely ignore mature plants. Tall, upright stems benefit from staking to support the top-heavy crown of flowers.

Faded blossoms can be deadheaded, or the plant can be cut back in late summer to encourage repeat blooming in the fall. If cutting back for reblooming trim the stems by about one third after flowers are past their prime. A tap root makes Engelmann Daisy unsuitable for transplanting. Wait until late spring to prune as beneficial insects often overwinter in the dry foliage and birds devour the seeds. Shear to the ground in spring after new green shoots begin to emerge.

Propagation: Commercially available in pots or grown from seeds that should be sewn in fall. It forms a tap root: transplant seedlings by early spring or leave in place.

Plant type: Herbaceous perennial

Bloom time: Late spring until frost

Size: 2 to 3 feet tall by 1 to 2 feet wide; taller stems may need staking

Sun: Full sun to part shade

Soil: Any

Water: Drought tolerant once established; extra water during dry periods improves flower production; avoid overwatering and ensure good drainage

USDA Zones: 5 to 10
References:

Plant Select

https://plantselect.org/2015-winners-announced/ and https://plantselect.org/plant/engelmannia-peristenia/

Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center Plant Database

National Gardening Association Plants Database

SEINet Portal - Engelmannia peristenia