Chamomile plants – A flowering lawn.
Chamaemelum nobile (syn.Anthemis nobilis), commonly known as Roman Camomile. Chamomile or Garden camomile or Anthemis are best described as an aromatic herb.
Two varieties are widely sold ‘Treneague’ which does not flower (great for hay fever sufferers) and a low growing or ‘dwarf’ variety.
In the garden it can be used to create a low care flowering lawn, it will spread so if you are using tubestock, plant them at around 15 cm apart.
Chamomile Care
Chamaemelum nobile, Anthemis, Chamomile or Garden camomile will grow well in a sunny well drained humus rich soil. Long flowering with white or yellow flowers in spring and summer. You can grow these plants from seed, however unless you are mass planting it is far easier from seedlings.
From seed germination will take around 2 weeks and will,need to grown on for 2 months before being large enough to plant out. These plants will self seed.
In our warmer climate, Roman Chamomile grows more reliably in afternoon shade. It is not really a plant that takes heavy foot traffic, so yes use it as a lawn substitute, however only in areas where it receives very light foot traffic.
You can mow a Chamomile lawn with a lawn mowers, just set the mower at its highest and mow as often as needed to help create a denser bushier growth habit.
When establishing, keep an eye out for weeds, a Chamomile lawn will grow better without competition.
Chamaemelum nobile is available for sale from the following nurseries
52 Rodd St Canowindra NSW 2804
An online nursery specialising in drought and frost tolerant perennials and fragrant, edible and herbs.
www.perennialle.com.au
'Umbango' 750 Humula Rd, Humula NSW 2652
Phone 0408692773 Great Range of Perennial plants available for sale by mail order.
www.nutshellnursery.com.au