Bloom Season: Spring and summer, into fall if pruned
Exposure: Full sun or light shade; burns in hot inland sun
Pruning Needs: Trim dead blooms every few months to prolong bloom
Water Needs: Low supplemental water once established; needs a little more inland
Narrative: This free-blooming member of the Aster family is native to coastal sand dunes and bluffs from Oregon to Southern California. It is well-suited to coastal gardens that have low amounts of summer moisture. It is a low-mounding perennial with purple flowers and yellow centers. Foliage and stems are blue-green. It is hardy to -5 degrees. Several cultivars include ‘Cape Sebastian,' which grows 6-8 inches high and has lavender pink flowers; ‘Sea Breeze,' which reaches 12 inches in height, producing pink-magenta flowers; ‘Arthur Menzies,' grows to 8 inches with lavender-pink blooms; and ‘Wayne Roderick,' (‘W.R.'), which grows to 12 inches high, 2 feet wide and has light magenta flowers. Beach aster is an excellent choice for borders, ground covers, landscaping near ponds, beach gardens, deep containers, and rock gardens. Its nectar attracts butterflies and hummingbirds; deer tend to leave it alone. It is also fire resistant. There are no known pests or diseases.
The name erigeron is from the Greek eri- meaning early and geron meaning old man, referring to the fact that the flowers bloom in spring, then turn gray like hair. The word glaucus means the blossoms are covered in thin powder. Beach asters benefit from annual or biennial division, which makes them less susceptible to mildew. Divide the tight, woody crowns with a spade. Crowns pulled apart into single rooted shoots can be replanted 2-3 inches apart and will generally flower in the same year. Alternately, cuttings can be placed in gritty soil mix in pots or trays. When well-rooted, plant them in the ground. Seeds may be collected, stored over winter in a dry, cool environment (preferably in the refrigerator) and sown in spring.
