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Erigeron acris is often confused with:
Aster A. tongolensis- East Indies Aster with white flowers
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Chrysopsis mariana Chrysopsis mariana
Erigeron Erigeron compactus
Phlox pilosa Form

Blue Fleabane Erigeron acris

Previously known as:

  • Erigeron philadelphicus
Phonetic Spelling
er-IJ-er-on AK-riss
Description

Native to the north-western US, This delicate wildflower that blooms between April and June can be found growing along forest edges, in forests, meadows, and along the shores of rivers and lakes. It is considered a biennial or short-lived perennial.

Each stem will boast several stalked flower heads.  Each flower head is 0.5-1 in. with 100 or more pink to pale magenta 1/4", thread-like rays or petals. The rays/petals are each 1/4" long. Encasing the flower head are several layers of various length bracts that taper to a pointed tip.  They may be covered with spreading hairs that can be mixed with minute glandular hairs.  

Plants contain both basal foliage and alternate foliage along the stem.

It likes thickets, fields, and open woods. Some shade is tolerated in hotter climates, It is, however, easy to grow in a variety of garden locations. Plant between 1.5 and 2 feet apart.  It self-seeds easily.  Plant in mass in a cottage, butterfly, or rock garden, or let it naturalize in a meadow.

Fleabane is often confused with plants in the Aster genus, but it blooms later in the season than Asters and the flower bracts do not overlap like they do with Aster flowers.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: It may not thrive in a very hot and humid climate, which may also be factored in some susceptibility to powdery mildew, leaf spots, and rust.

 

 

More information on Erigeron.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#drought tolerant#white flowers#pink flowers#native perennial#low maintenance#cottage garden#wetlands#deer resistant#fields#daisy-like#thickets#delicate#naturalizes#rock garden#self-seeding#wet soils tolerant#rocky soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#wetland margins#heat intolerant#humidity intolerant#wildflower#wildlife friendly#meadow#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#drought tolerant#white flowers#pink flowers#native perennial#low maintenance#cottage garden#wetlands#deer resistant#fields#daisy-like#thickets#delicate#naturalizes#rock garden#self-seeding#wet soils tolerant#rocky soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#wetland margins#heat intolerant#humidity intolerant#wildflower#wildlife friendly#meadow#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Erigeron
    Species:
    acris
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    A tea brewed from leaves was used medicinally as an astringent and diuretic.
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Biennial
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Temp. Northern Hemisphere
    Distribution:
    AK, CA, CO, ID, ME, MI, MN, MT, OR, SD, UT, WA, WY
    Wildlife Value:
    Flowers attract butterflies.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Easy to Grow
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Cascading
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Description:
    The brown fruits have a tuft of hairs that are carried by the wind.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Daisy-like 1" diameter pink to white thread-like rays with yellow centers.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblanceolate
    Spatulate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Entire
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Basal leaves are spatula-shaped, lobed and toothed. Moving up the stems, leaves become smaller, alternate, clasping and untoothed. The leaves are smooth to sparsely hairy. Leaves will become smaller and more lance/egg-shaped as they ascend the stem.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    The green to reddish stems are erect, single, and unbranched.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Rock Wall
    Slope/Bank
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Problems:
    Short-lived