Heirloom

Virgo

Tanacetum parthenium

Photo: Emőke Dénes · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Productive, uniform, and upright plants produce 1/2", round flowers. Before fully developed, blooms have ivory centers which turn pure white at maturity.

Harvest

100-110d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

5–8

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

1-3 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Virgo in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Virgo · Zones 5–8

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-draining soil enriched with compost or aged manure

WaterRegular, consistent moisture; avoid overwatering

SeasonTender Perennial

ColorWhite with ivory centers at early bloom stage

Size1/2"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 1	May – June	July – August	July – September	—
Zone 2	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 11	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 12	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 13	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	June – July	—
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	March – May	—
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	February – April	—

Complete Growing Guide

Productive, uniform, and upright plants produce 1/2", round flowers. Before fully developed, blooms have ivory centers which turn pure white at maturity. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, Virgo is 100 - 110 days to maturity, tender perennial, open pollinated. Notable features: Use for Cut Flowers and Bouquets, Ideal for Drying and Crafts.

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches, 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Low, Medium. Propagation: Division, Seed. Regions: Coastal, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Virgo reaches harvest at 100 - 110 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 1/2" at peak.

The center disk of the flower becomes a head of dry, brown seeds. The seeds are ribbed and measure 1-2 mm long. The plant is self-seeding and can be aggressive.

Color: Brown/Copper. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.

Harvest time: Fall

Edibility: Edible leaves can make tea.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh cut Virgo flowers last 5–7 days indoors in a clean vase filled with cool water and a floral preservative (or a homemade substitute of 1 tablespoon sugar and a few drops of bleach per quart). Change water every 2–3 days and recut stems at an angle to maintain water absorption. Store arrangements away from direct sunlight, ripening fruit, and heating vents, which accelerate wilting.

For preservation, air-dry blooms by hanging small bunches upside down in a warm, dark, well-ventilated space for 10–14 days until completely crisp—these dried flowers hold color well and work beautifully in arrangements or crafts. Alternatively, press individual flowers between absorbent paper under a heavy weight for 2–3 weeks to preserve flat blooms for botanical pressing or decorative projects. Silica gel drying is also effective for maintaining shape and color if you prefer three-dimensional specimens.

History & Origin

Virgo is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: Southeastern Europe to Central Asia and West Himalaya

Advantages

+Uniform plant height and structure simplifies garden design and spacing
+Productive flowering ensures abundant blooms throughout the growing season
+Ivory-to-white color transition provides extended visual interest in arrangements
+Compact 1/2 inch flowers ideal for mixed bouquets and tight plantings
+Easy cultivation makes Virgo suitable for novice and experienced gardeners

Considerations

-Extended 100-110 day cycle requires long growing season in cool climates
-Small flower size may limit visual impact in large landscape applications
-Tanacetum parthenium prone to powdery mildew in humid conditions

Companion Plants

Marigolds, sweet alyssum, and calendula are the most useful neighbors for feverfew. Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) repel aphids and whiteflies through root and foliar compounds, which reduces pest pressure without extra effort on your part. Sweet alyssum, planted 6-8 inches away, draws in hoverflies and parasitic wasps — the insects that keep aphid populations from tipping into real damage. Calendula pulls a similar trick and doubles as a trap crop, attracting aphids to itself and away from the feverfew.

Black walnut and sunflowers are the two to keep well clear of. Black walnut roots secrete juglone into the surrounding soil — a compound that interferes with plant respiration — and feverfew's relatively shallow root system puts it directly in the affected zone. Sunflowers release allelopathic compounds that can slow germination and stunt nearby seedlings, so don't count on them as a backdrop just because they're tall and cheerful.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial insects

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial insects like lacewings and provides ground cover

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles

Zinnia

Attracts pollinators and beneficial predatory insects

Cosmos

Attracts beneficial insects and provides structural support

Lavender

Repels moths, fleas, and mosquitoes with aromatic oils

Petunias

Repel aphids, tomato hornworms, and squash bugs

Calendula

Attracts beneficial insects and repels various garden pests

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth of many flowering plants

Eucalyptus

Allelopathic compounds suppress growth of nearby plants

Sunflowers

Compete heavily for nutrients and water, may stunt smaller flowers

Troubleshooting Virgo

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Powdery white coating on leaves, usually appearing mid-summer when nights cool down and humidity climbs

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) — common on Tanacetum in crowded beds with poor airflow
Plants spaced closer than 12 inches, trapping moisture around foliage

What to Do

1.Cut back affected stems by about a third and throw the clippings in the trash, not the compost
2.Thin plants to at least 12 inches apart if you haven't already — airflow does more than any spray
3.Apply a diluted neem oil solution (2 tbsp per gallon of water) weekly until symptoms stop spreading

Stems flopping over and falling open at the center, especially on plants taller than 2 feet

Likely Causes

Overly rich soil or excess nitrogen pushing soft, fast growth that can't support itself
Insufficient light — fewer than 4 hours of direct sun produces weak, leggy stems

What to Do

1.Install wire hoops or a single bamboo stake per clump before plants exceed 18 inches tall — retrofitting support after a collapse rarely works cleanly
2.Back off compost amendments; feverfew performs fine in moderately lean soil
3.Site next year's plants where they'll get 6+ hours of direct sun

Leaves and stems covered in small, sticky clusters of insects, new growth curling or distorted

Likely Causes

Aphid colonies (commonly Myzus persicae or Macrosiphoniella tanacetaria) — feverfew's aromatic foliage doesn't deter every species
Absence of predatory insects, often from nearby pesticide use

What to Do

1.Knock aphids off with a firm spray of water from a garden hose — do this three mornings in a row
2.Plant sweet alyssum or calendula within 2-3 feet to draw in parasitic wasps and hoverflies
3.If the infestation is heavy, spot-treat with insecticidal soap, keeping it off open flowers

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Virgo take to grow from seed to first bloom?▼

Virgo reaches flowering maturity in 100–110 days from planting. If you start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost date and transplant after frost, you can expect first blooms 6–8 weeks after moving seedlings to the garden, typically by mid-summer in most temperate zones.

Is Virgo good for beginner gardeners?▼

Yes, absolutely. Virgo's easy growth habit, tolerance of both full sun and partial shade, and minimal care requirements make it ideal for beginners. Its uniform upright structure means you won't need to stake or heavily prune, and deadheading spent flowers is straightforward. Even mistakes with watering or fertilizing rarely derail this forgiving variety.

Can you grow Virgo in containers?▼

Yes, Virgo adapts well to containers. Use a quality potting mix with good drainage, space plants 8–12 inches apart in pots 8–12 inches deep, and water consistently since containers dry faster than garden soil. Place containers in full sun or bright partial shade (4–6+ hours daily), and fertilize every 2–3 weeks since container plants deplete nutrients more quickly.

When should I plant Virgo seeds?▼

Start Virgo seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last expected spring frost. Transplant hardened-off seedlings to the garden only after all frost danger has passed and soil has warmed to at least 60°F. Direct sowing outdoors is possible in frost-free zones, but indoor starting gives you earlier, more reliable blooms.

What's the difference between Virgo and other heirloom flower varieties?▼

Virgo stands out for its compact 1/2-inch flowers with distinctive ivory-to-white color progression, uniform upright plant structure, and exceptional productivity on a single plant. Many heirloom ornamentals are larger-flowered or more sprawling. Virgo's small, delicate blooms make it ideal for detailed arrangements and cottage gardens where airy texture is valued.

Do I need to deadhead Virgo to keep it blooming?▼

Deadheading significantly extends Virgo's blooming season, often by 4–6 weeks or more. Regular removal of spent flowers redirects the plant's energy from seed production into continuous new bud formation. However, if you want to save seeds for next year, simply stop deadheading in late summer and allow mature seed heads to dry on the plant.