Large mountain daisy Celmisia spectabilis
Large mountain daisy (Celmisia spectabilis) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Asteraceae family, native to Mountains of the South Island and southern North Island, New Zealand (tussock grassland). It grows 20–40 cm (8–16 in) tall and 30–60 cm (12–24 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -15 °C (5 °F). Space plants about 40 cm (16 in) apart.
Plan Large mountain daisy in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Large mountain daisy at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Mature height | 20–40 cm (8–16 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
| Spacing | 40 cm (16 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -15 °C (5 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 7) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 24 °C (75 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | High |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Mountains of the South Island and southern North Island, New Zealand (tussock grassland) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
Is Large mountain daisy toxic?
- People: not well documented
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
Toxicity not documented.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Large mountain daisy
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
See Large mountain daisy in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden (24 plants)
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (6 plants)
Questions about Large mountain daisy
- How far apart should I plant Large mountain daisy?
- About 40 cm (16 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–60 cm (12–24 in).
- Does Large mountain daisy need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Large mountain daisy need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Large mountain daisy?
- It tolerates about -15 °C (5 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 7.
- When does Large mountain daisy flower?
- From about June for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Large mountain daisy poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not well documented. Toxicity not documented.
- What grows well with Large mountain daisy?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Large mountain daisy. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- New Zealand Plant Conservation Network: flora, NZPCN
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- Alpine: needs sharp drainage (scree, gravel or a rock-garden pocket) and resents winter wet more than cold.
- Leathery leaves with a silvery felted underside; needs cool, moist summers and acid soil (the New Zealand bed of the rock garden).
- Flowers in December–January in New Zealand; date here is the northern equivalent.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
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- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- Zinnia Zinnia elegans
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
- Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea
- Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
- French tarragon Artemisia dracunculus