Feverfew

Hi. I'm looking at growing feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) and I've seen a few online comments that say it repels bees. I've seen a few that dismissed that idea and said bees were all over it. Anyone have experience with this? Any advice on growing them is great.

Also I would love to know how to use it medicinally.

Thanks

Hello Bihai,

Feverfew is easy to grow. Once you start it, the plant will reseed itself all over the place. I have not paid attention to how bees relate to it. I would have noted if it was one they liked, but I have never paid attention to plants that bees try to avoid. It does have a strong smell that is not pleasant to me.

We have lots of feverfew, it's basically a weed, it self seeds and will grow anywhere being quite happy in the gravel on the drive or in the corner of the compost heap.  As to bees, they do visit it so I don't think it repels them, it's not smothered like borage or lavender but they do visit it.

I have both the filled and the simple variety (not sure about the correct words?). I love the simple ones better, they look so cheerful.

Last summer I paid close attention to all insects and wild bees in my garden. I did capture a lot of them with my camera, but I have never seen bees on the feverfew.

Possibly because there were far more attractive plants in my garden. I had thought it was more popular with pollinators.

I did collect some tender leaves to dry and use in an herbal tea mix for my daughter - against headaches and menstrual cramps. I also included meadowsweet. alchemilla, yarrow and some others I don't remember right now.

Thanks for the info! Sounds like I should be careful with where and how I plant it. I definitely don't want it to get out of hand. I ended up with some seeds of unfamiliar plants this year and I'm trying to avoid issues. I like that feverfew could be used for headaches, but if growing it gives me headaches.....