Blackfoot Daisy Plant Sets

Bring a touch of honey-scented charm to your most sun-drenched spaces with Blackfoot Daisy (Melampodium leucanthum), also known as Plains Blackfoot. This rugged, low-growing native perennial forms a neat, mounded cushion of grayish-green foliage that stays evergreen in many regions. From spring through the first frost, it covers itself so densely in white, daisy-like flowers with bright yellow centers that the foliage can almost disappear from view.

Superbly adapted to arid environments, Blackfoot Daisy is a "sturdy" survivor that thrives where other plants might wilt. Whether tucked into a rock garden, used as a xeric groundcover, or massed in a wildflower meadow, its prolific blooms and sweet fragrance make it an essential choice for sustainable, low-water landscapes.

Key Features:

• Honey-Scented Blooms: Produces an abundance of 1-inch wide, solitary flowers that emit a pleasant, light honey fragrance.
• Pollinator & Wildlife Friendly: The nectar-rich flowers are a favorite for butterflies, and the plant provides value for local birds.
• Extreme Drought Tolerance: This "dryland native" is perfectly suited for xeric gardens and can thrive on natural rainfall alone once established.
• Deer Resistant: Naturally unappealing to browsing deer, ensuring your garden stays lush and colorful.
• Extended Bloom Season: Delivers consistent color from March through November, peaking in the spring and fall.
• Compact Habit: Typically grows 6–12 inches tall and roughly twice as wide, creating a tidy, mounded appearance.
• Pollinator-Safe: Grown non-GMO and free of harmful neonicotinoids, promoting a healthy ecosystem for pollinators and wildlife.

Available in sets of three, six, or 12 plants to suit any garden size.

Why Choose Blackfoot Daisy?

Blackfoot Daisy is the ultimate "lean and mean" beauty for the Southwest and High Plains. It is specifically adapted to low-fertility, rocky, or sandy soils where it outshines more delicate species. While it may be short-lived compared to some shrubs, it often reseeds naturally, ensuring its cheerful presence remains in your garden year after year. It is the perfect twin to the White Zinnia but offers a broader range and more robust flowering.

Planting Tips:

1. Location: Thrives in full sun and reflected heat. It is mandatory to provide excellent drainage; it will not tolerate "wet feet" or heavy clay. Prefers lean, rocky, gravelly, or sandy soils. Avoid rich soils or fertilizers, as these can actually shorten the plant's lifespan.
2. Watering: Water regularly only during the first growing season to establish the root mass. Once mature, reduce frequency significantly; over-watering is the most common cause of failure.
3. Maintenance: Minimal care required. There's no need to deadhead the flowers, as allowing them to go to seed provides a valuable food source for birds. Leaving the stems standing in the fall offers overwintering sites for beneficial insects. If desired, cut back the stems in late spring after pollinators have emerged. 

For more information on planting, view our How to Plant Your Native Plants guide and other planting tips in the Garden for Wildlife Learning Center. 

Companion Planting: Pairs beautifully with Penstemon and Blanketflower (Gaillardia) for a classic, drought-tolerant display.