I've had generally poor luck with this plant, not sure why. I think it does not like competition, and I likely let it become overrun with weeds. One of my favorites was a taller lemon scented chamomile which got about 12" tall with solid yellow flowers. My latest stab is C. nobile 'Treneague' which is a low English evergreen chamomile. So far, it has spread out well and gave me tons of bloom the first season. Makes me wonder if it might be mismarked, as the label stated "seldom blooms" and in our database an alternate common name is non-blooming lawn chamomile. Here it is clearly in bloom:
In any event, whatever variety I currently have seems to be doing well, and I even harvested some for drying/winter use. An all-around herb, chamomile may be used as an anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, sedative, calmic, tonic, stimulant, anti-septic, and is even rumored to perk up ailing plants if planted close by. My grandmother used to serve all the girl-cousins chamomile tea at our somewhat rambunctious tea parties - wise woman!
I use chamomile regularly in hair rinses and lotions, both the flowers and the leaves. It's also a regular in my salves, for arthritis, healing, and itching.
Please note that some folks are sensitive to the sap of the plant, and pregnant women should not use it.
