Erigeron compositus
cut-leaf fleabane
Attracts PollinatorsAttracts ButterfliesDeer ResistantDrought TolerantContainer Friendly
Native to North America
Overview
Erigeron compositus is a low, cushion-forming perennial in the aster family, building tufts or mats 2-8 inches (5-20 cm) tall from a branched, woody root crown. The small basal leaves are repeatedly divided into narrow, finger-like segments and covered in soft hairs, giving a gray-green, ferny look. Single daisy-like flower heads rise on short, leafless stalks above the foliage, each head 0.5-1 inch (12-25 mm) wide with a yellow center disk ringed by many narrow white, pink, or pale blue ray petals. In some forms the ray petals are reduced or absent. Bloom runs from late spring into summer. The species grows on rocky slopes, ledges, gravel, and tundra from foothills to alpine and arctic elevations across western and northern North America. It withstands cold, wind, and thin soils but needs sharp drainage and fails in wet, rich ground. Seeds are small wind-dispersed achenes. The flowers draw small native bees and flies.
Native Range
Erigeron compositus is native to western and northern North America, from Alaska and arctic Canada south through the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada to California, Arizona, and New Mexico. It grows on rocky slopes, cliff ledges, gravel flats, and tundra from montane to alpine and arctic elevations.Suggested Uses
Used in rock gardens, troughs, crevice plantings, and gravel gardens within its range and in cool climates. The low cushions suit alpine and scree plantings among stone. It fills small pockets in rock work where larger plants do not fit.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 8"
Width/Spread4" - 10"
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white to pale blue with yellow centerFoliage Description
gray-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun to light shade with six or more hours of light. Sharp drainage is essential, and gritty, gravelly, or sandy soils of low fertility suit it, while wet or rich ground causes rot. Once established it is drought-tolerant and needs little water beyond establishment. It withstands cold and wind in exposed sites. Seed sown in fall and given winter cold germinates in spring. Crowding and rich soil shorten the life of the cushion.Pruning
Pruning is minimal. Spent flower stalks can be trimmed after bloom to keep the cushion tidy. Dead leaves are cleared from the crown in spring.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summerfall
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons