Matricaria tchihatchewii

Matricaria tchihatchewii, also known as turfing daisy, creeping pyrethrum or creeping chamomile, is a perennial plant often used as ground cover or as an alternative to grass in small areas with light foot traffic. It quickly forms a thick, curly-looking carpet of fresh green foliage, which is decorative in winter. From spring to early summer, it is adorned with an abundance of small white daisy-like flowers. Used as a lawn substitute, this chamomile requires regular manual weeding and occasional watering, depending on the region. It can also be planted in rock gardens, on banks, or along pathways.  

Matricaria tchihatchewii belongs to the Asteraceae family, just like daisies and chamomiles. This species is hardy down to at least -15°C (5°F) and is native to rocky steppes in Asia Minor and the Mediterranean region (from the Caucasus to eastern Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, and Iraq). It is a perennial plant with rooting stems, meaning it can root at the nodes. Its growth rate is quite rapid. The vegetation forms a carpet that reaches a height of 3 to 5cm (1 to 2in) and spreads laterally for at least 50cm (20in). The leaves persist through winter, but they may become deciduous in summer if the soil is very dry. The plant will green up again with the first autumn rains. The leaves are finely divided and aromatic when crushed. Flowering occurs from April-May to July, starting earlier and often being shorter in warmer regions. The flowers are arranged in small white heads with yellow centres, measuring about 2cm (1in) in diameter. They are produced abundantly above the foliage.

Plant it in a small, lightly trafficked area that is easily accessible if it's intended to replace grass. This plant tolerates light foot traffic and should only be mowed after flowering. In this usage, it can be combined with other vigorous ground cover perennials such as Achillea crithmifolia, Lippia, Zoysia tenuifolia, Falkia repens, or Dichondra repens. It can also be planted at the base of shrubs and hedges, on top of walls, in rock gardens, or along the edge of stairs, accompanied by Erigeron karvinskianus, thymes, or dwarf artemisias, for example. It also pairs well on banks with drought-tolerant perennials and shrubs such as lavender, cistus, rosemary, broom, cerastostigma, and valerian, which will emerge from its carpet.