The melampodium (Melampodium divaricatum) is an annual herbaceous plant that blooms from mid-summer to early fall with yellow, daisy-like flowers with orange centers. Its genus name comes from its black stalks, combining the Greek “melam”, which means “black”, and “pous”, which means “foot.” It requires full sun to partial shade and needs well-drained soil.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Melampodium divaricatum, also known by its common name gold medallion, is a species of flowering plant from the genus Melampodium. The species was first described in 1836.
An annual with small, sunflower-like blooms, melampodium is known for its constant display of blossoms and graces any garden with tons of golden color. Blooming nonstop from spring through frost, this plant can be used in containers as a cheerful filler that works well with other sun-loving annuals. Another big plus of this plant is that it’s deer-resistant.
Each flower looks like a miniature sunflower with bright yellow petals around a dark gold center. Other species have cream and white petals and yellow centers. Melampodium begins blooming in late May and continues blooming all the way until frost. The flowers are held atop small medium-green leaves.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Melampodium grows best in full sun, which encourages the most flowers and helps to keep the plant compact, otherwise it tends to get leggy.
Temperature and Humidity
As a plant that is native to the tropical regions of Central and South America, melampodium is heat-tolerant. High humidity can lead to powdery mildew. It is not cold-tolerant and its life cycle ends with the first fall frosts.
Soil and Water
Because this plant is native to areas with rocky soil, it requires well-drained soil to thrive. The plant prefers acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5 but it also does fine in a slightly higher neutral pH. The plant benefits from regular watering but the soil should dry out slightly between waterings; it is considered drought-resistant.
Fertilizing
To keep melampodium blooming all season long, add a slow-release fertilizer or a general- purpose liquid fertilizer according to label instructions.
Planting Instructions
Nurseries and garden centers sell these annual plants in the spring but you can also start your own from seed (see instructions for propagation below). Plant melampodium after all danger of frost has passed. Dig a hole that is at least the size of the nursery pot or flat and has the same depth. Water the plants well in their pots and let them drain before placing them in the hole and backfilling with the original soil.
Space the plants about 12 inches apart.
Pruning
Typically you do not have to worry about removing spent blooms as melampodium quickly grows past its old blossoms. As many varieties of melampodium get older, they tend to become leggy and may flop open. Planting in full sun helps to prevent this but you can also pinch back the stems early on in the growth or shear it back if it begins to flop open.
If you don’t want it dropping seeds around the garden, deadheading is the best way to prevent inadvertent spreading.
Propagation
Melampodium is propagated from seed. It can be directly seeded outdoors one to two weeks after the last frost and the soil temperatures have reached a temperature of at least 70 degrees F. Barely cover the seeds with soil, as they need light to germinate. Keep the soil moist and the seedlings will appear in one to two weeks. Thin the seedlings to a spacing of 10 to 15 inches apart depending on the cultivar.
You can also start the seeds indoors in pots or seed trays about six weeks before the last expected frost date to get a head start on the growing season.
Potting and Repotting
Select a pot with large drainage holes and fill it with well-draining potting mix. You can plant in a pot on its own or in a larger mixed planter where it serves as a filler. Keep in mind that potted plants need more frequent watering and fertilization than inground plants.
The life cycle of melampodium ends in the fall so it does not require repotting.
Pests and Diseases
You don’t have to worry much about serious pests or diseases with this annual plant but in hot, humid climates it is susceptible to powdery mildew. To prevent this, make sure there is sufficient air circulation by leaving adequate space between the plants. Slugs and snails might also feed on the plants.
III. Uses and Benefits
A bright-yellow, nectar-rich summer flowering plant with a clumping growth habit, melampodium is ideal for various garden settings. It is an excellent choice to brighten up a rock garden, to attract the desired insects into a butterfly garden or a pollinator garden, or as an addition to a cutting garden. It is best planted in borders or en masse and also does well in containers or rock walls and slopes.
IV. Types of Melampodium
- ‘Lemon Delight’ Melampodium
‘Lemon Delight’ bears masses of lemon-yellow flowers on a compact, 10-inch-tall plant.
- ‘Melanie’ Melampodium
‘Melanie’ produces lots of golden-yellow flowers on a compact, 10-inch-tall plant.
- ‘Showstar’ Melampodium
‘Showstar’ is a low-growing, spreading variety with an abundance of golden flowers.
- ‘Jackpot Gold’ Melampodium
‘Jackpot Gold’ has masses of 1-inch golden-orange flowers on bushy plants. This cultivar stands out by its heat- and cold-tolerance, flowering until frost.
V. Melampodium Companion Plants
Gazania
Gazania is a tough plant that endures poor soil, baked conditions, and drought beautifully and still produces bold-color, daisy-like flowers from summer to frost. A perennial in Zones 9-11—the hottest parts of the country—gazania is grown as an annual elsewhere and blooms from midsummer to frost. The flowers appear over toothed dark green or silver leaves (the foliage color differs between varieties). They’re great in beds and borders and containers, too. Plant established seedlings outdoors after all danger of frost has passed. Do not fertilize, and keep the soil on the dry side.
French Marigold
Just as you’d expect from something called French, these marigolds are the fancy ones. French marigolds tend to be frilly and some boast a distinctive “crested eye.” They grow roughly 8-12 inches high with a chic, neat, little growth habit and elegant dark green foliage. They do best in full sun with moist, well-drained soil and will flower all summer long. They may reseed, coming back year after year, in spots where they’re happy.
Salvia
There are few gardens that don’t have at least one salvia growing in them. Whether you have sun or shade, a dry garden or lots of rainfall, there’s an annual salvia that you’ll find indispensable. All attract hummingbirds, especially the red ones, and are great picks for hot, dry sites where you want tons of color all season. Most salvias don’t like cool weather, so plant them outdoors after all danger of frost has passed.
Find Where to Buy the Best Medallion (Melampodium divaricatum)
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