Streamside Fleabane

Scientific Name: Erigeron glabellus

Plant Type: Native Perennial

Delicate daisy for difficult conditions. A seemingly frail Alberta native that packs a punch-a mound 6 to 20 inches tall overflowing with pale lavender to pink 1-inch daisies with golden centers. Blooms early in the season, late May to July, bringing early spring pollinators.

What gardeners like about it:

• Bee & pollinator magnet-Attracts early spring native bees, small butterflies, hoverflies with early nectar sources.

• No fuss-Deer and rabbits typically ignore it, forming a neat mound rather than a runner.

• Winter-hardy-Zones 2-7. Ready for Alberta winters and cool mountain climates.

• Excellent for naturalizing-Prefers the streambank and meadows where it grows naturally but will thrive in your garden bed.

• Long bloom period-Lasts several weeks when deadheaded.

What it needs:

• Light-Full sun to partial shade. Flowering is heaviest in full sun.

• Soil-Adaptable; prefers well-draining soil. Can handle gravelly, sandy or standard garden soil. More moisture-tolerant than many prairie plants, as is implied by its name, but still requires good drainage.

• Water-Moderate. Handles more moisture than penstemon or gaillardia, but will not tolerate standing water.

• Gardening tip-Don't be fooled by the name. Although streamside Fleabane can tolerate more water than typical xeriscape plants, "streamside" does not imply "swampy." Provide it with adequate drainage and it will be perfectly happy. You may achieve a second round of blooms by cutting it back immediately after its first flush of flowers.