How to Grow Erigeron -Mexican Fleabane

Erigeron, common name Mexican fleabane, is a simple, low-growing summer-flowering perennial with masses of small pink and white flowers. One of its merits is that it is long-flowering. Last year, I had Erigeron in flower from June until October. Long-flowering plants are good value in the garden.

Erigeron is an easy-to-grow, fully hardy, reliable perennial.

In relation to Erigeron karvinskianus, the flowers are quite small illustrated far left and right. E. Erigeron glaucus 'Sea Breeze' illustrated in the centre, has much larger flowers which are consistently mauve with yellow centres. With E. karvinskianus the flowers open white and become pink with age, and each plant will have many flowers which are replaced over a long, summer flowering period. 

These are the two varieties commonly sold and grown. Both are reliable, easy to grow, ideal for the front of the border, rockeries, crevices,  and Sea Breeze, as the name suggests, is good in coastal gardens.  Erigeron flowers for a long time with multiple flowers. 

Plant Erigeron in a sunny position. Erigeron is tough and will grow in most soil types, including drier soils in steps and wall crevices.  E. karvinskianus will grow to a maximum height of .5m, and is fully hardy. It is a self seeder, although not invasive, and is tolerant of partial shade. 

Erigeron  Glaucus is suitable for coastal gardens. Its common name is seaside fleabane, beach aster, or seaside daisy, illustrated in the centre image, which, as the name suggests, is ideal for seaside gardens.

Once established, E. karvinskianus returns reliably each year and flowers profusely. Ideal for the front of a border, in a garden wall or rocker and as shown above, can be ideal to cover old steps or to soften a paved area. It has the RHS award of garden merit a good indicator of a reliable garden plant.

Pruning requirements for Erigeron are really simple.

The large flowered varieties, such as E.Glaucus can be deadheaded as the summer goes along.

E. karvenskianus, with its masses of tiny flowers, is best left alone until after flowering. In late autumn or spring (I prefer spring), cut back to create a neat mound shape for the new growth. Depending on your garden requirements, you can cut it back quite close to the ground.