Tanacetum vulgare.

Varieties

The Curled or Double Tansy, the one chiefly grown for culinary purposes; the Variegated; and the Common or Plain. This last is but of little worth, except for medicinal preparations.

Soil And Situation

A light, dry, and rather poor soil, in an open exposure, is best suited to it, as in such it is the most hardy and aromatic.

Planting

It is propagated by rooted slips, or divisions of its fibrous creeping root, planted from the close of February until that of May, as well as during the autumn. Established plants may be moved at any period of the year. Insert in rows twelve inches apart each way; a gentle watering being given, if the season is not showery. As the roots spread rapidly, plants will soon make their appearance over a large space of ground if left undisturbed; to prevent it, a path should be left entirely round the bed, and often dug up to keep them within bounds. The plants run up to seed during summer, but the stalks must be constantly removed, to encourage the production of young leaves. Weeds should be extirpated, and the decayed stalks cleared away in autumn, at the same time a little fresh mould being scattered over the bed.

Forcing

If required during the winter and early spring, old undivided roots must be placed in a moderate hot-bed once a month, from the middle of November to the close of February. They may be planted in the earth of the bed, in pots, and plunged in a similar situation, or placed round the edges of the bark pits in a hot-house. A frame is not absolutely necessary, as a covering of mats supported on hoops, afforded during frost, at night, and in very inclement weather, will answer nearly as well.