Native to the rocky coastal cliffs of Japan, Nipponanthemum nipponicum has found a natural second home along the northeastern American seaboard, where its salt tolerance and constitution make it almost indestructible. Growing one and a half to three feet tall, it forms a substantial, shrubby clump with thick, glossy leaves and a parade of classic white daisies that open in fall and last well into the season — long after most perennials have retreated.

A light cut-back in spring keeps the plant compact and encourages the bushy branching habit that makes it so useful in a border setting. Because the lower stems tend to lose their leaves as summer progresses, planting shorter perennials in front is a practical solution that also creates layered depth. Divide clumps every two to three years to maintain vigor, and remove spent flower heads promptly to keep new buds coming.