Corethrogyne filaginifolia (California Aster)

A fast-growing plant that provides quick cover, Corethrogyne filaginifolia (California Aster) is a robust evergreen perennial or subshrub forming a ravishing cushion of silvery, softly hairy, linear to obovate leaves borne on many slender erect to decumbent stems. Each stem produces a profusion of small flower heads, 1 in. across (2 cm), toward their tips in summer to early winter. Each blossom features an outer ring of lavender (sometimes whitish) ray flowers and a central bouquet packed with up to 120 yellow disk florets. Butterflies, flies, and bees forage on the flowers in the late summer months and into the early fall when food resources are low. The flowers give way to achenes with reddish bristles that disperse in late summer to fall. Native to western North America, California Aster does best in rocky slopes and sloping rock gardens, where it will usually stay beautiful year-round. In dry sites, the leaves become dormant by late summer after the flowers are produced. Great for coastal gardens, bird or butterfly gardens, or as a ground cover, California Aster is deer resistant, drought and salt tolerant.

• Grows up to 6-36 in. tall (15-90 cm) with a spread of 12-72 in. (30-180 cm). Will often reseed where happy.
• Easily grown in full sun or part shade in sand or clay, well-drained soils. Plant in a location that receives full sun to light shade along the coast or light shade in warmer inland locations. Low water needs along the immediate coast. Best with occasional summer water inland. Drought tolerant, California Aster is not tolerant of summer water, which will often kill it after its first year. Tolerates salt spray.
• Great for cottage gardens, coastal gardens, rock gardens, or as a groundcover.
• Virtually disease and pest free. Deer resistant.
• May need annual pruning to control shape.
• Propagate by cutting or seed. Fast-growing from seed to maturity, generally reaching maturity after the first year.
• Native to western North America from the southwestern corner of Oregon to Baja California.