Tanacetum cinerariifolium

Pyrethrums are beautiful white and yellow bloomers with an upright habit that are related to Tansy, Feverfew and Chrysanthemums..  Single, daisy-like blooms adorn blue-green feathery foliage and make great additions to cut or dried bouquets.

This plant's value goes well beyond its beauty, as it is a major source for an all natural insecticide. Deemed safe to humans, the flowers are potent sources of Pyrethrin, a naturally occurring insect repellent and pesticide. When dried flowers are added to water, the mixture is safe enough even for food crops, or when left dried, can be burned as a mosquito repellent.  The chemical attacks the nervous system of various insects, rendering them lifeless. In smaller doses, it works merely to keep them away rather than kill them. Enhanced by cool temperatures, Pyrethrin can be kept in storage in powder form for years and remain potent.

Because of their ability to repel insects and pests, Pyrethrums make excellent companion plants, especially when growing fruits and vegetables. Some people with severe sensitivities can have allergic reactions to Pyrethrums, and these beautiful perennials should never be planted near fish ponds, as they are highly toxic to fish.