Alphabetical Plant Listing

Erigeron pulchellus (Robin's Plantain)

Robin's Plantain, Poor Robin's Plantain, Rose Petty, Robert's Plantain, Blue Spring-daisy


One of the showiest species of fleabane, Erigeron pulchellus (Robin's Plantain) is a stoloniferous, biennial, or short-lived perennial boasting a profusion of cheerful daisies borne in loose clusters from mid-spring to early summer. Resembling asters, each 1 in. flower (2.5 cm) is packed with 50-100 thread-like, lavender-blue to white ray florets surrounding yellow centers. Blooming for about 3 weeks, they arise from ground-hugging rosettes of paddle-shaped, soft and hairy, gray-green leaves, 2-6 in. long (5-15 cm). Heat, drought, and humidity tolerant, adaptable and low maintenance, this North American Erigeron species spreads to form a nice, dense carpet. A remarkable ground cover when in bloom.

  • Grows up to 18-24 in. tall and wide (45-60 cm). Will spread by rhizomes and self-seeding without being aggressive.
  • Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Appreciates some light shade in hot summer climates. Best in poor soils which have not been fertilized. This plant loses tidiness when given too much fertilizer or rich soils. Drought tolerant once established.
  • Great for beds and borders, cottage gardens, rock gardens, prairies, and meadows.
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for powdery mildew, leaf spots, and rust.
  • Propagate by seeds sown outside in late fall or the following spring without any cold treatment. Only a small percentage of the seeds will germinate. Divide colonies by separating stoloniferous plantlets.
  • Native to North America.

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Requirements

Hardiness 3 – 8
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Erigeron - Fleabanes
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Oklahoma, Texas
Tolerance Drought, Dry Soil
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

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Fritz Flohr Reynolds (Flickr), Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 3 – 8
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Erigeron - Fleabanes
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Oklahoma, Texas
Tolerance Drought, Dry Soil
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

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