Glebionis

( gleb - ee - OH - niss )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus, commonly called Crown Daisy or Garland Chrysanthemum, includes flowering herbaceous annuals which need full sun and moderate water for best performance in the garden. These are fast-growing plants and have ferny foliage. Daisy-form blooms come in a variety of colors, including white, red, pink, yellow, and orange, and petals are commonly bicolored or tricolored. Use these flowers in mixed beds and borders, in containers, or as members of pollinator, informal, or cottage gardens.

Glebonis Species and Varietals

The genus Glebionis includes just two species, and is a member of the plant family Asteraceae. This genus was previously included under the genus Chrysanthemum. These flowers grow best in USDA hardiness zones 5-10 or Sunset growing zones 1-24, H1 and H2. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Glebonis carinata (Ismelia carinata, Chrysanthemum carinatum) (Tri-color Daisy, Painted Daisy, Tricolor Chrysanthemum)
This native of Morocco reaches up to 1-3 feet tall and 3 feet wide at maturity and has bright green to blue-green divided leaves. In summer and fall, these plants bloom profusely in purple, orange, scarlet, salmon, rose, yellow, or white with bands of contrasting colors around a darker center. They last a long while in water as cut flowers.

'Court Jesters'
A choice garden strain.

'German Flag'
Scarlet flowers with a golden yellow band.

'Merry Mix'
Multicolored bulls-eye flowers on 2-3 foot tall plants.

'Summer Festival Mix'
With single, semi-double, and double blooms.

Glebonis coronaria (Chrysanthemum coronarium) (Crown Daisy, Garland Chrysanthemum)
This species is native to the Mediterranean and gets to 2.5 feet tall and 1.5 feet wide and has light green leaves. Flowers bloom in spring and summer and are yellow. The subspecies Chrysanthemum coronarium spatiosum is also known as Shungiku, or chop suey greens. It can be eaten after being lightly steamed or added to soups. This species is considered invasive in southern California (United States).

Caring for Glebionis

Glebionis, or Crown Daisy, performs best when grown in full sun. Ideally, these plants should be receiving between 6 and 8 hours of direct sun each day for best overall performance and flowering. They appreciate soil that is well-draining and moderately fertile with a pH of between 5.2 and 7.5 (acidic to slightly alkaline). 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. After planting, mulch around the base with organic mulching material to help retain soil moisture and suppress weed growth. Keep mulch away from the plant stems, as this can encourage an environment for root rot issues to take hold. Water new plants regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, they appreciate consistently moist soils; as a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Fertilizing these plants is not necessary; they can perform well even in poor soils. Feed in early springtime with a 2-inch layer of compost applied around the planting area. No pruning is needed other than to deadhead for a neater appearance and more blooms. If plants are getting leggy, they can be sheared back by about half to encourage a bushier habit. Water new plants regularly to help them establish a strong root system. At maturity, these plants like to have a slightly moist soil around their root systems. Glebionis are annual plants, typically pulled at the end of the growing season each year and replanted in the next.

Caring for Glebionis in Containers
Glebionis are wonderful in the ground, but can also be grown in containers. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. At maturity, these plants should be kept in a container that is at least 12-16 inches in diameter. They grow from a taproot, and will need an adequate container depth to accommodate it. Ensure that the chosen pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Glebionis grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season and deadhead regularly to clean up the plant and encourage more flowers to bloom.

Harvesting Glebionis
Glebionis flowers can be used in fresh arrangements, providing drama and pops of color. They have long stems and bright, daisy-like blooms, with the added bonus of providing ferny, delicate foliage. They combine well with many different types of flowers in fresh arrangements. Harvest flowers after they are fully opened. The best time to harvest is in the early morning or late evening when temperatures are at their coolest. Cut flower stems at their base using sharp, clean shears or snips, remove the lower leaves from the stem, and drop them in a bucket of cool water. The vase life of Glebionis fresh cut flowers is 7-8 days. Glebionis plants are also grown as members of edible gardens. These plants are referred to as Tóng Hāo Cài, Shungiku, Ssukgat or Mantilida in various places around the world. Their greens are aromatic and slightly bitter; leaves and shoots are added to stir fries or steamed vegetables, and can also be used fresh in salads and added as a garnish to soups and hotpots. Flowers are edible as well, and are sometimes added to salads. They have a tangy, slightly bitter and herbal flavor. They can make a colorful garnish for salads or other dishes.

Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.

Propagation

Glebionis are best propagated via seed. To propagate your Crown Daisy, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Glebionis by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out, the seeds can be collected. Cut the seed heads off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Once a majority of seeds have been released, remove them from the bag and put them in a container so to work with them. Glebionis seeds can remain viable for 3-4 years if stored in a cool, dark, dry area.
In either late winter or early springtime, get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water 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. Germination usually takes 2-6 weeks from sowing. 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 the same potting medium as described in Step 1. 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) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Glebionis seed heads form after flowers fade.

Glebionis seeds.

Problems and Pests

These plants are known in some areas for escaping garden cultivation and becoming invasive. Take care when planting these flowers to ensure that they stay within their bounds; deadheading blooms can help greatly in this effort. Glebionis flowers are susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases in the landscape: