Anacyclus

( an - uh - SYE - klus )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus includes species of annual and perennial flowering plants native to, the Mediterranean, North Africa, the Middle East and Spain. Plants in the genus are commonly low-growers, prized for their ferny foliage and daisy-like blooms. Flowers are present in summertime, and have yellow centers and white rays that are reddish-pink on the undersides. Great for sunny, dry, hot rock gardens, these are very drought-tolerant plants. Use Anacyclus flowers in mixed beds and borders or containers in pollinator, informal, or potager gardens.

Anacyclus Species and Varietals

The genus Anacyclus is a member of the plant family Asteraceae, and includes 14 distinct species. Anacyclus species typically grow well in USDA hardiness zones 3-9 or Sunset growing zones 2-24, though this varies somewhat depending on the species cultivated. For more information, see the species descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Anacyclus clavatus (Camomilla tomentosa) (Pusteni Targok, Vit Bertram, White Anacyclus, White Buttons, Spanish Chamomile)
These annual plants are native to northern Africa and the Mediterranean, growing well in USDA hardiness zones 10-11. The species produces low-growing, shrubby plants with green foliage and white daisy-form flowers with yellow centers. Individual plants reach up to between 8 and 24 inches tall when mature and in bloom.

Anacyclus pyrethrum (Pellitory, Spanish Chamomile, Mount Atlas Daisy, Bertram, Akarkara)
Native to Mediterranean Europe and some areas of North Africa, these perennial plants resemble Chamomile in habit and appearance. Plants generally reach about 12 inches tall with a 6-18 inch wide spread. Foliage is dark grey-green and flowers have white petals with dark pink undersides. Flower centers are yellow. These plants are sometimes cultivated for their roots.

Anacyclus radiatus (Yellow Anacyclus, Rayed Anacyclus, Anacycle Radie)
This species is endemic the the western Mediterranean Basin, and is an annual plant. Individual plants can reach up to 16 inches tall when mature. Flowers are yellow with yellow centers. Foliage is green to blue-green and ferny. This species of Anacyclus grows well in USDA hardiness zones 7 and above, and is hardy down to 23 degrees Fahrenheit.

Caring for Anacyclus

Anacyclus, or Mount Atlas Daisy plants can be grown from seed or purchased from a reputable nursery as starts. Plant them between 6 and 16 inches apart for best coverage and airflow any time from spring through fall. Anacyclus plants appreciate full sun; ideally, between 6 and 8 hours each day is sufficient. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.1 and 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. These plants are not overly picky about soils, and can even grow in rocky substrates. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants are considered to be drought-tolerant, able to get by for most of the year on rainwater alone with supplemental waterings during extended periods of drought. Make sure to irrigate at the base of plants instead of using overhead water, which can increase the risk of developing fungal issues like powdery mildew.

Fertilize perennial species yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Annual species should be fine without fertilizing as long as soil is amended before planting. The only pruning needed for these plants is deadheading, which will encourage more blooms to pop. Trimming off old flowers will also discourage the free-sowing habit of this plant and control its spread. Dead, damaged, or diseased foliage can be removed at any time during the growing season to improve the appearance of plants. These flowers can freeze in severe cold weather or rot in cold; make sure to provide coverage with frost cloth when temperatures drop below freezing. Perennial species can live for several years in the landscape before needing to be replaced, while annual species will need to be pulled, composted and replaced each spring.

Growing Anacyclus in Containers
Anacyclus plants can be grown in the ground as well as in containers. Choose a container that is a few inches wider and larger than the root ball or nursery pot, and make sure it has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow excess water to flow away. Fill the container with a well-draining soil that is amended with plenty of organic material and perlite. After planting, apply a layer of mulch to the soil surface to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Dead, damaged, or diseased foliage can be removed at any time during the growing season to improve the appearance of plants. Deadhead regularly to discourage re-seeding and to encourage more blooms to form. Annual species can be pulled and composted at the end of the growing season and replaced the next spring. Perennial species will need to be repotted every once in a while as they grow to avoid becoming root-bound in their pots. As a general rule, a good time to pot up a plant is when its roots begin to grow through the drainage holes in the bottom of their container.

Propagation

Anacyclus plants can be easily propagated through harvesting and sowing seeds. To propagate your Mount Atlas Daisies, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Anacyclus by Seed

Gather your materials. To propagate by seed, you will need a pot or tray filled with well-draining potting soil, a spray bottle and a fork.
Harvest your seeds. You'll need to allow your plants flowers to come to seed and catch them before they drop, which occurs in late summertime. Harvest as many seeds as you can. They will probably not all germinate, and the more seeds sown, the better. Place seeds on top of the substrate.
Barely cover the seeds with potting soil and water by spraying the with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with potting soil. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight). Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home in your garden.