Erigeron

( ehr - RIJ - er - on )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly known as Fleabane, this genus of perennial flowering plants includes species which need full sun to light shade and moderate water. Their flowers will attract butterflies and other pollinators to the garden. They are free-bloomers with daisy-shaped flowers and are related to plants like Aster. Flowers are available in white, pink, lavender, or violet, and they usually have yellow centers. Take care when planting these flowers in the landscape, as ingestion of plant parts can be mildly toxic to humans and pets. Plants can also cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.

Erigeron Species and Varietals

The genus Erigeron includes 460 species and is a member of the plant family Asteraceae. The genus name is derived from the Ancient Greek words ἦρι (meaning 'early in the morning') and γέρων (meaning 'old man'), a reference to the appearance of white hairs that appear on fruits. Fleabane growing zones vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Erigeron glaucus (Beach Aster, Seaside Daisy, Seaside Fleabane)
These flowering plants are native to the California and Oregon coastlines, and grow best in USDA hardiness zones 6-10 or Sunset growing zones 4-6, 15-17 and 22-24. They will burn in hot sun inland, and will need some afternoon shade when cultivated in these areas. The plant forms a clump of foliage to 1 foot tall and 1.5 feet wide when mature with blue-green leaves. Lavender flowers top 2-inch stems. Varieties are outlined below.

'Cape Sebastian'
Gets 6-8 inches tall, and has lavender-pink flowers.

'Sea Breeze'
Large pink flowers.

'Arthur Menzies'
To 8 inches tall, with lavender-pink blooms.

'Wayne Roderick' ('W. R.')
Gets to 8 inches tall and has lavender blooms in summer, with larger leaves and is great for warm areas.

Erigeron karvinskianus (Mexican Daisy, Santa Barbara Daisy)
This species grows best in USDA hardiness zones 6-9 or Sunset growing zones 8, 9, 12-24, H1 and H2 and is native to Mexico. This plant has a trailing habit, reaching up to 10 to 20 inches tall and 3 feet wide at maturity. Flowers are pink and white, and nearly everblooming. This species is great for hanging baskets, containers and rock gardens. Cultivar 'Moerheimii' is a compact grower with lavender-tinted flower heads. Santa Barbara Daisy is considered invasive in Hawai'i, Réunion Island, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Portugal, and the western United States.

Erigeron speciosus (Aspen Fleabane, Garden Fleabane, Horseweed, Oregon Fleabane, Seaside Daisy, Showy Daisy, Showy Fleabane)
This species is a native of the Pacific Northwest and grows best in USDA hardiness zones 2-9 or Sunset growing zones 1-9 and 14-24. Plants have an erect habit, reaching 2 feet tall and just as wide at maturity, and have flowers that are dark violet or lavender in the straight species. Varieties are outlined and described below:

'Blue Beauty'
Azure-blue flowers.

'Darkest of All'
Flowers are dark violet-blue.

Erigeron speciosus macranthus
This is also called Aspen Daisy; 3-5 flowers per stalk.

'Forster's Liebling'
With pink flowers.

'Strahlenmeer'
Light violet-colored blooms.

'Pink Jewel'
Blooms are various shades of pink.

'Schneewittchen' ('Snow White')
Blooms are a true white.

Caring for Erigeron

Take care when planting these flowers in the landscape, as ingestion of plant parts can be mildly toxic to humans and pets. Plants can also cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Grow Erigeron in a spot in the garden that receives full sun exposure; between 6 and 8 hours of direct sun each day will result in the best foliage growth and blooms. Erigeron will adapt to most soil types, but growth is best in fertile soil amended with organic matter. They prefer a soil pH of between 6.0 and 8.0. If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. These plants grow well in sandy soils, and need their substrate to drain quite fast. Water new plantings regularly as they form a strong root system. At maturity, Erigeron plants are considered to be drought-tolerant, able to get by on rainwater alone for many months out of the year, with supplemental waterings during periods of extended drought.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Deadhead plants as individual flowers fade to neaten up its look. Cut the entire plant back when blooming slows down; this will encourage new bushy growth and more flowering. Divide yearly in late fall or early spring every one or two years to maintain plant health. For instructions on how to successfully divide Erigeron plants, see the Propagation section below. Plants in this genus are considered short-lived to long-lived perennial plants, depending on the species cultivated and the growing conditions. Many cultivated garden varieties will last between 2 and 7 years before needing to be replaced.

Caring for Erigeron in Containers
Erigeron shrubs are wonderful in the ground, but can also be grown in containers. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Erigeron plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.

Propagation

The most straightforward way to propagate Erigeron is through division of existing plants. This process will need to be completed every year to every few years (depending on the species and cultivar grown) to ensure the best health for plants. Fleabane can also be propagated via seed, though this method can result in offspring that do not have the exact same qualities as the parent plant. To propagate your Fleabane plant, follow the instructions below.

Propagating Erigeron by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost, and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in spring or fall (after the plant has entered dormancy and been cut to the ground, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every one or two years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. As a general rule of thumb, when plants start to struggle or not bloom well, it is a good indicator that the plant needs to be divided. To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Gather your materials. Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the roots. Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout!

Propagating Erigeron by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on Erigeron plants are left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out, you can harvest the seeds. Cut the flowering heads off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will begin to release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes between 1 and 3 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Erigeron seed heads are rounded and carry many light seeds that have feathery attachments.

Erigeron seeds.

Problems and Pests

Certain species are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Erigeron, or Fleabane, plants do not typically suffer from many pest or disease issues in the landscape. From time to time, they may have problems with the following: