These bright yellow daisies are just what’s needed on a dull August day.

They really are little rays of sunshine with their fine, massed petals round a central disc – a great landing pad for bees and butterflies. The flower bud is a beautifully constructed furry nest which gradually unfurls to reveal the first of the bright yellow petals – a plant beautiful at every stage of flowering.

The only down side to this hardy perennial is that it grows quickly to form a large clump that’ll need dividing every three years or so. Taking a more positive view on its vigorous growth habit, this makes it an excellent filler plant. It spreads more on rich, moist soil, which is its preferred location. It also likes a sunny, open site where it will grow to about 75cm high.

I first acquired this plant from a friend and neighbour. It can now be found in several other neighbours gardens and has proved useful in the borders at St James churchyard in Didsbury where we needed tough, spreading plants to fill a large area. Too little space in my own garden, I planted it on my allotment to attract pollinating insects where it does a great job. I often pause to admire its bright flowers and watch butterflies.