Common Podolepis

The large and flouncy daisies of the Common Podolepis, or Copperwire Daisy, nod brightly on slender, leafy stems above a whirl of tender leaves at ground level. After flowering (from September to November) plants die back to a few leaves. New leaves and shoots sprout annually during winter from a thickened root.

This seasonal perennial can be a challenging to maintain in the garden as slugs and snails love the tender foliage and will munch new leaves as the unfurl from buds in spring. A small stick inserted near the plant will serve as a reminder of its location when it dies back, and then the new growth can be protected in late winter. In the wild, flowering density is greatest in years with good autumn or winter rain, so supplementary watering may be beneficial during dry times. Grows well in semishade to full sun. It is moderately tolerant of drought and frost but has only average tolerance of waterlogging. Can be grown on a range of soil types, from heavy clay to sand, but prefers acid soils.

A beautiful plant to scatter through a perennial border, grassland or cottage garden. Common Podolepis is a great plant for a pollinator garden and will support a variety of pollinating insects, including native bees, hoverflies, native wasps, butterflies and beetles.