Melampodium (Melampodium paludosum)
(a.k.a. Medallion plant, Butter Daisy, Star Daisy)

Bloom Time - Late spring - fall
Color - Yellow
Foliage - Ovate, bright green
Size - 1-3 ft. with equal spread. Size will vary with
the variety. "Million Gold" grows to 8 to 10 inches,
"Show Star" 14 to 24 in. and "Medallion" 24-36 in.
Exposure - Full sun, some light shade
Culture - Easy to grow in average soil with average moisture but will tolerate drought. Fertilize every two weeks with a light general fertilizer. No need to dead head blooms!

Comments - I can't think of an easier to grow or more satisfying annual than melapodium. It may be slow to take off but once the temperatures start rising, you can be assured of a non-stop outstanding show for the remainder of the summer. Tiny blooms cover the mounding plant continuously and it simply sneers at our heat and humidity. There are no pests to worry about, no need to water except in cases of prolonged drought and you never have to dead-head this plant. The flowers just keep coming! Melampodium is excellent for filling in gaps in borders, mass plantings or edging plants. The only negative factor I can think of (aside from the name) is a tendency to re-seed and pop up in unexpected places the next year in your garden.

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