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Showy Fleabane Erigeron speciosus

Phonetic Spelling
er-IJ-er-on spee-see-OH-sus
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

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.

More information on Erigeron.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#blue flowers#violet flowers#daisy-like#long bloom time#self-seeding#butterfly friendly#problem for cats#problem for dogs#bee friendly#problem for horses#colonizing#butterfly garden#long lived#meadow
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#blue flowers#violet flowers#daisy-like#long bloom time#self-seeding#butterfly friendly#problem for cats#problem for dogs#bee friendly#problem for horses#colonizing#butterfly garden#long lived#meadow
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Mild gastrointestinal signs, mild dermatitis
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Irritant
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No