What could be more soothing than curling up at bedtime with a good book and a cup of chamomile tea made from flowers fresh from your garden? The flowers can also be dried for floral arrangements, pressed for crafts, or woven into charming wreaths, and their edible petals can be tossed into salads. In the garden, chamomile attracts beneficial insects and pollinators. Variety Info Family: Asteraceae Native: Africa and Europe Hardiness: Annual; reseeds Exposure: Full sun Plant Dimensions: 18"–30" tall, 12"–18" wide Variety Info: Fern-like foliage on thin, light green stems, ¾" apple-scented, white, daisy-like flowers with yellow centers. Blooms from late spring to summer. Attributes: Attracts Pollinators, Attracts Beneficial Insects, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Good for Containers Sowing Info When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date or as soon as soil can be worked. When to Start Inside: 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date. Optimal soil temperature is 65°–85°F. Days to Emerge: 10–15 days Seed Depth: Press into surface Seed Spacing: A pinch of seeds every 8" Row Spacing: 18" Thinning: When ½" tall, thin to 1 every 8" Growing Info Harvesting: Pick flowers in the morning, just before fully opened, and dry on a screen covered with cheesecloth in a cool, dark, well-ventilated area. Plants may also be hung upside down to dry.
