Also known as seaside fleabane and beach aster, this herbaceous perennial is native to Oregon and California where it grows on beaches, coastal bluffs and dunes. It is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, yarrow and lettuce. The plant grows 6-12″ tall and has a stout rhizome and thick blue-green leaves that are .3 to 5.2″ long, rounded to spoon-shaped, and sometimes with a few teeth on the margins. The leaves are evergreen in warm climates. Nodding, branched stems bear 1-15 flower heads from .4 to 1.2″ across over a long bloom time beginning in spring. Each flower head consists of a central golden disc florets surrounded by ray florets that are deep blue to purple, to pink lavender, to almost white. The flower heads are attractive to butterflies, moths, and bees. Plants are drought tolerant and a good choice for borders and containers as well as seaside, rock, native plant, wildflower, butterfly, and pollinator gardens. The genus name, Erigeron, comes from the Greek words ἦρι (êri) meaning early referring to the early bloom time, and γέρων (gérōn) meaning old man, referring to the hairy appearance of the fruit that resembles the beard of an old man. The specific epithet, glaucus, The name for the genus comes from the Greek words ‘eri’ meaning early or perhaps ‘erio’ meaning wooly and ‘geron’ meaning “old man” which alludes to the bristly or wooly seed heads. The specific epithet is the Latin word (from the Greek γλαυκός ,glaukos) meaning silvery or bluish-green and refers to the color of the foliage.
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Bloom: Flower heads with golden centers surrounded by blue, purple, pink-lavender to almost white florets from spring to fall
Size: 6-12″ H
Light: Full sun to light shade (light shade in warmer areas)
Soil: Fertile, dry to medium moist, well-drained
Hardiness: Zones 5-8
Care: Cut back every 2-3 years
Pests and Diseases: None of significance
Propagation: Division in fall or early spring; stem cuttings; seed (need light for germination)
Companion Plants: California sea pink, sea lettuce, common yarrow
Outstanding Selections:
‘Bountiful’ (compact, large, lavender flowers)
‘White Lights’ (white flowers)
Photo Credit: Bjorn S Wikipedia