Chamomile, Roman

Roman Chamomile brings a cheerful, old-fashioned charm to the sunny garden with its spreading mat of fine, feathery apple-scented foliage and a long season of small, daisy-like white flowers from spring through summer. The fragrant foliage releases a sweet, distinctive scent when crushed—a sensory bonus along a path edge or between stepping stones where foot traffic brushes it gently. It grows in a low, spreading carpet under twelve inches tall, making it a practical and attractive choice for edging, groundcover, and erosion control in well-drained beds. Butterflies visit the flowers throughout the long bloom season, and it tolerates average moisture and the challenging root zone near black walnut trees. Deer and rabbits generally leave it alone, and its gentle, informal character suits cottage gardens and naturalistic plantings beautifully. Harvest the flowers for herbal use, or simply enjoy the fragrance as the seasons unfold.