Robin’s plantain, blue spring daisy, hairy fleabane
Erigeron pulchellus

Family: Compositae

What it is like

Erigeron pulchellus is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. The flowers are pollinated by Bees, Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 0.6

Where it is found

Open rocky woodlands, wooded sand dunes, slopes of wooded bluffs, savannas and sandy savannas, banks of streams, and clearings in wooded areas. Robin's Plantain is found in less disturbed areas than other species in this genus.

Widespread across much of the United States and Canada from Québec and Ontario south as far as eastern Texas and the Florida Panhandle.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

Eastern and south-central United States

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 3

Ground Cover. Invertebrates shelter: beneficial for insects and other arthropods. Nectary: provides nectar or pollen for beneficial insects. Locations: Cottage gardens, butterfly gardens, native plant/wildflower gardens, meadows or naturalized areas. May be used in borders and rock gardens.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

Ground Cover: Ground Cover

How it is grown

A perennial herbaceous wildflower. Dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates light shade, heat and humidity. Good drainage is very important. Best in poor to modest soils which have not been fertilized. Plants usually perform poorly in rich soils.. Will naturalize in optimum growing conditions by self-seeding and stoloniferous spread. Flowers: Showy. Flower Color: White. Flower Time: Late spring or early summer. No serious insect or disease problems. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread. The root pattern is stoloniferous rooting from creeping stems above the ground.

Propagating it: Propagate by seed, division or cuttings. Seeds: sow outside in late fall or the following spring without any cold treatment. Poor germination. Seeds require light for germination. Division - very good. Will naturalize in optimum growing conditions by self-seeding and stoloniferous spread.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 4-8

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Robin’s plantain, blue spring daisy, hairy fleabane, Poor Robin's Plantain

Synonyms

E. bellidifolius Muhl. ex Willd.