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Roman Chamomile Wikimedia Commons
Asteraceae

Roman Chamomile

Chamaemelum nobile

Energy in adversity, humility, sweetness.

Family
Asteraceae
Genus
Chamaemelum
Native to
Western Europe, North Africa
Bloom season
Summer
Type
Perennial
Height
10–30 cm (4–12 in)
Sunlight
Full sun
Soil
Sandy, well-drained
Water
Low
Hardiness
4–9
Lifespan
Perennial

Did you know

  • Roman chamomile is the apple-scented ground cover behind the legendary 'chamomile lawn'—traditional English lawns of crushed chamomile that release fragrance when walked on.
  • Buckingham Palace and many historic English gardens still maintain chamomile lawns; the Knot Garden at Sissinghurst has one tucked behind the white garden.
  • Unlike its German cousin, Roman chamomile is a creeping perennial—it forms a dense mat just inches tall, perfect for filling cracks between paving stones.
  • Its essential oil is one of the most expensive in aromatherapy: it takes more than 200 pounds of flowers to distill a single pound of pale blue oil.
  • Beatrix Potter mentions chamomile tea by name in The Tale of Peter Rabbit—it's the drink Mrs. Rabbit gives Peter after his terrifying encounter with Mr. McGregor.

Color meanings

0

energy

1

humility

2

sweet rest

Uses

  • Aromatic lawns
  • Herbal tea
  • Essential oils
  • Ground cover