That's a good looking plant, and I'd like to have something that lasts longer for the pollinators. Do you have to give it any special attention to get it through the winter? If these are related to chrysanthemums (?), I don't know if it would come back for me.

I received it in a trade last year and it bloomed for me the first year. It doubled in size this year. And no, I didn't do anything special to it. It's planted in the landscaping in the front of the house,west exposure - I can enjoy it from the picture window in the livingroom! We lose lots of mums here too, but something tells me that Ajania is hardier than mums. We had the worst winter that we've had in about 15 years last year as far as cold temperature and snow goes, and it came back strong first thing in the spring. I wonder why no one has mentioned this plant? I've found so many new-to-me plants by trading, ones that I've never heard of before, and would not be able to find at local garden centers.

I do like this a lot! I read about it in 'Covering Ground' but I haven't tried it yet since I'm not sure that it would be hardy here. I'm a little obsessed with moundy plants :-)

New to me, Linlily. I so agree - plants from trades (and seeds) offer such exciting possibilities. Feather in your cap with that one.

So is the trade something you guys do here on gardenweb? How do I get involved?

Thank you, Campanula UK!

greenhearted - go to Exchanges and Trades here on Houzz, click on it, and go to The Plant Exchange and click on it. You would like the "moundyness" of Ajaina.

Linda

Thank you Linda!

You're very welcome. Just another note to add about this plant. It went through a couple of hard freezes even before the blooms opened up and the plant came through great. We have had such a nice, warm, fall in general here in Western PA. El Nino is what the weather people are saying. Yesterday while helping DH cut the grass - yes, still cutting grass!- I saw some daylilies making new scapes. Never saw that this late before.

I have grown it several times here in zone 5, Ontario, but it has never come back for me but once, while many chrysanthemums have no problem here. The one time it survived, the winter was unusually mild, and it remained a weak plant that died the next winter. Still worth growing, it is a fantastic plant, annual or perennial. The buds are almost nicer than the flowers, I think. Wish I knew where to get it again. The nurseries that had it dropped it from their assortment.

This is now my first plant on my 2016 "To buy" list. (gdinie, please keep an eye out for it as I will also).

Rouge21, are you also in Ontario or somewhere else in Canada?

We are in the GTA.

Ok, let's see if we can help each other. Eyes peeled!

I thought it look like a tansy when I saw the picture. Cool looking plant.

You are right. The flowers do resemble tansy. The leaves are a lot like a mum with silver/white edging.

I actually like the plant best in bud.

UPDATE:

It is now August and I have not seen hide nor hair of any Ajania for purchase :(. Such a great looking plant.; love that picture gdinieontario.

(linlily, did yours survive this past winter?)

I have been looking around too, but it seems to have disappeared from the scene. It was everywhere for a few years, and then it was gone. It was often sold as a perennial, but it is not quite hardy around here. Maybe that had something to do with it? Too bad.

I grew this plant years ago, it is a good-looking foliage plant for most of the season, and then bloomed beautifully in late fall when nothing else was blooming - one year I had blooms close to Thanksgiving time! It seemed to do better at my other house than this house, though, so I took it out and haven't grown it in years. If you see it for sale, definitely buy it, I consider it a winner. :0)

Just for the heck of it, I searched for this plant. Dave's list reports that two companies have it for sale. One doesn't appear very reputable, but Lazy S's Farm and Nursery has gotten good customer satisfaction reviews. I'm not buying any plants at the moment, but any of you who want to try it, let us know how it goes.

Martha

I will post a picture for you guys. My plant is large, healty, and happy! I think they might tend to increase at a slow but steady rate. Wish you all lived closer to me. I'd gladly share with you. Love this plant!

Linda

UPDATE:

Still on my "to buy" list this season. (Ontario members please keep an eye out for it in your travels this season).

I looked for it all season. No luck. Will keep looking and if successful, report back ;-).