Erigeron compositus in the Landscape

Diane Jones, Draggin' Wing Farm, Water-thrifty Plants for Idaho

Scientfic Name:  Erigeron compositus
Common Name:  Cut-leaf Daisy, Dwarf Mountain Fleabane

Description:  Vigorous native fleabane that forms attractive evergreen clumps supporting numerous white to lavender daisies spring and fall. Leaves are hairy, protecting the plant from the blazing sun and constant wind of its native habitat. Very cold-hardy to zone 3 or 4.

Native Habitat:  Western Canada and U.S., from Sagebrush deserts to subalpine mountain ridges.

Cultural Requirement

Soil:  Any ordinary garden soil, preferably with good drainage

Moisture Tolerance:  Low to very low supplemental water; does well on drip

Sun/Shade/Preference:  Full sun

Transplanting:  Easy

Propagation:  Seed or cuttings

Maintenance (pruning, fertilization, deadheading, division, irrigation, etc):  Deadhead to maintain tidy appearance and to stimulate blooming. Needs little or no fertilization.

Insect, disease, or other problems:  None of concern

Landscape Value

Use in the Landscape:  Outstanding in low borders or rock gardens.

Foliage:  Dissected ‘mitten-like' hairy grey-green leaves in a dense basal mound

Timing:  Mid May-Mid June

Color:  white-lavender

Form:  Clump

Texture:  Woolly and dense

Ultimate Size:  6" tall by 8-10" wide

Rate of Growth:  Moderate growth with supplemental water

Suggested Plant Partners:  Davidson's Penstemon, Shrubby Penstemon

Availability:  Available at specialty nurseries

Cultivars:  None

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