: Gardening: Plant of the week: Anthemis.

THE name anthemis comes from the Greek anthemon, meaning a flower - and that tells you a great deal about this perennial daisy. Although originating from the Mediterranean, anthemis will produce numerous blooms happily for weeks on end in much of Britain.

The site is more important than the climate. Because anthemis grow naturally on waste land, they need well-drained soil in an open, sunny situation. They are not even fussy about soil fertility. Taller kinds, with flowers on strong, straight stems, are long-lasting perennials in the garden border and excellent for cutting.

The most adaptable garden species is Anthemis tinctoria, sometimes called golden marguerite, which has cream flowers with yellow centres an inch or so across on 90cm (3ft) stems. Each root spreads to a similar width and the flowers can require support though they have a convenient habit of flopping tidily to soften the edge of a path or blend with other plants.

Varieties bred from this species are even more desirable. `E.C. Buxton' is superb, with lemon yellow flowers on shorter stems less likely to need staking. `Beauty of Grallach' has orange-gold heads and the flowers of `Susanna Mitchell' have white petals and golden centres above blue-grey foliage. `Sauce Hollandaise' has pale cream blooms on 60cm (2ft) stalks.

Another 90cm species, Anthemis sancti-joannis has greyish, white-tipped leaves and bright orange flowers throughout summer. It hybridises freely with Anthemis tinctoria and many plants offered for sale under this name are thought to be hybrids. Make a point of seeing your choice in flower if in doubt.

Not all anthemis are tall. The choicest is considered to be the Italian Anthemis punctata subspecies cupaniana, a mat-forming perennial admired by alpine plant lovers. Although only 30cm (12in) tall, it spreads silver-grey, feathery foliage to a metre across and, from late spring to autumn, foams with hundreds of white, yellow-eyed daises. No wonder it holds the Royal Horticultural Society's award of garden merit given to outstanding plants. The only drawback is that cupaniana can smother less vigorous small plants nearby.

For yellow flowers on shortish stems, choose Anthemis marschalliana which reaches a maximum of 45cm (18in) and has silky, grey-green leaves.

Anthemis can be bought as container-grown plants or grown from seeds sown in pots in a cold frame in spring. The roots of established plants can be divided in spring.

CAPTION(S):

FAIRY AT THE BOTTOM OF THE GARDEN?; Jackie Knight's child, Samantha, 4, frolics in her Tatton Park show garden; BORDER BEAUTY: Anthemis take centre stage in a mixed border