Erigeron foliosus
leafy fleabane
Attracts PollinatorsAttracts ButterfliesDeer ResistantDrought TolerantContainer Friendly
Native to North America
Overview
Erigeron foliosus is a herbaceous perennial in the sunflower family, native to western North America. It grows 8-24 inches (20-60 cm) tall in clumps of slender, leafy stems that rise from a woody base. The narrow leaves are 0.5-2 inches (1.5-5 cm) long and crowd the stems all the way up, the trait behind the name leafy fleabane. From late spring into summer the stems are topped by daisy heads 0.75-1.25 inches (2-3 cm) across, each with many thread-like blue-violet to lavender ray florets surrounding a yellow center. Several heads may open per stem. The plant grows in dry, open places, including chaparral, grassland, open woods, and rocky slopes, mostly in California and neighboring states. It is drought tolerant once established and dies back in winter where cold, re-emerging from the base in spring. Its narrow rays and crowded leafy stems separate it from broader-leaved asters that bloom later in the year.
Native Range
Erigeron foliosus is native to the western United States and northern Baja California, Mexico, and is most common in California, extending into Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona. It grows in dry chaparral, grassland, open woodland, and rocky slopes.Suggested Uses
Erigeron foliosus is used in native plant gardens, dry meadows, rock gardens, and pollinator plantings in sunny, well-drained sites. Its flowers draw bees and butterflies. Its low, clumping form suits the front of borders and naturalized banks.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 2'
Width/Spread8" - 1'6"
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
blue-violet to lavender with yellow centerFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 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
Erigeron foliosus grows in full sun to light shade in dry, well-drained soils, including rocky and sandy ground of low fertility. It is drought tolerant once established and needs little summer water in its climate. It is hardy in roughly USDA zones 7-10 and dies back to the base where winters are cold. Grow it from seed or by dividing clumps in spring. Rich, moist, or poorly drained soil shortens its life and produces floppy growth. Cutting it back after the first bloom can bring a lighter second flush.Pruning
Cut stems back after the main bloom to tidy the clump and encourage a second flush of flowers. Remove old stems in late winter before new growth begins.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons