Philadelphia Fleabane Erigeron acris
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Erigeron philadelphicus
- Phonetic Spelling
- er-IJ-er-on AK-riss
- Description
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A delicate wildflower that blooms between April and June. The flower head is 0.5-1 in. with 100 or more pink to pale magenta petals. 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.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Erigeron
- Species:
- acris
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- A tea brewed from leaves was used medicinally as an astringent and diuretic.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Temp. Northern Hemisphere
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract butterflies.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Wildflower
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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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 Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2a, 2b, 3b, 3a, 4b, 4a, 5b, 5a, 6a, 6b, 7b, 7a
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- 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.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Entire
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Basal leaves are spatula-shaped, lobed and toothed. Moving up the stems, leaves become smaller clasping and untoothed.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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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
