Showy Fleabane Erigeron speciosus
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- er-IJ-er-on spee-see-OH-sus
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Translating to 'pretty', 'showy' or 'beautiful', the species name says it all. Aspen Fleabane is a clump forming perennial wildflower in the daisy family with showy blue-purple flowers that can have 100+ petals surrounding a yellow disk center.
In the US, it can be found flourishing in South Dakota and each of the states located to the west, with the exception of California. Wet, dry and rocky grasslands, meadows and open woodlands are its favored locations.
Performing at its best in fertile, well-drained soil, it will tolerate occasional dry soils. It does its best when the soil moisture is consistent, not going to extremely wet or dry. Sun exposure can also have an effect on the plant size. Where some shade is provided, plants tend to grow taller than if located in full sun. Areas subjected to frost may see smaller plants as well as later blooming.
Colonizing will occur as this long-lived plant spreads. Self seeding allows this plant to spread as well as by its rhizomes. The ecology can also affect its spread. While grazing by cattle, sheep and wildlife such as deer, mountain goats, gophers and other wildlife will reduce its numbers, wildfires can ultimately increase the number of plants.
Collection of seed is a method of reproduction. The seed, which do not need any pretreatment, can be spread into new locations to create grazing lands for both domestic and wildlife as well as land restoration. After spreading, the seed should be covered with a layer of soil.
Each stem can produce from 1 to 20 flower heads. Each flower head is up to 2" wide and can have 75 to 150 rays, most often purple, blue or pink. The centers are yellow or orange center. Deadheading will encourage additional blooms.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or diseases issues. Occasionally powdery mildew can occur.
Ensure that leaves from surrounding trees are removed from the vicinity around this plant to prevent rotting.
- 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:
- speciosus
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Beneficial plant for wildlife and pollinators.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Western US, Canada to Mexico
- Distribution:
- AZ, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, SD, UT, WA, WY
- Wildlife Value:
- Bees, butterflies and other pollinators are attracted to the flowers. Wildlife graze this plant.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Easy to Grow
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Description:
- The hairy fruits are in the form of a cypsela, which is a dry single-seeded fruit formed from a double ovary of which only one develops into a seed, as in the daisy family. They are disbursed by the wind.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Gold/Yellow
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- more than 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Masses of blue-violet daisy-like flowers 1"-2" across 100+ ray florets surrounding a yellow disk. Most often, the rays are blue to lavender, and rarely white.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblanceolate
- Spatulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Green-grey, 6" long spatulate leaves at the base of the plant. The basal and stem leaves are variable. They can be oblanceolate, spatulate, elliptic or oval, however, they typically have clasping petioles, three main veins and are smooth. The margins do have hairs.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The branched, leafy stems can be up to 3' tall. They are maroon-tinged and hairy with the exception of the area just below the flowers.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Slope/Bank
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
