PLANT NOTES: Showy Fleabane

Pioneer housekeepers stuffed their mattresses with dried leaves and stems from this purple and yellow daisy-like flower, Erigeron Speciosus. Lore had it that it would keep fleas away, hence the name Fleabane. While it may have no effect on fleas, Fleabane attracts beneficial insects, as well as butterflies and many other late summer pollinators.

The largest, showiest member of the Fleabane genus, our native species grows 1-2 feet tall with purple ray flowers around a yellow center of disk flowers. This spring bloomer produces whitish seed-heads that are hairy or wooly, resembling a gray-haired man. Its name, Erigeron, is derived from ancient Greek words meaning “early in the morning” and “old man.”

This long-blooming native shows well in a perennial bed or wildflower meadow. Excellent for rocky, low fertility soils, it's not too picky about sun or shade, moist or dry. In a word, Fleabane is “perfect” for dry, south-facing slopes or parched flower beds on the sunny side of the house.

Growing near the dry rock wall on the edge of the Arboretum, this long blooming native shows well in a perennial bed or wildflower meadow. Excellent for rocky, low fertility soils, it’s not too picky about sun or shade, moist or dry. In a word, Fleabane is “perfect” for dry, south facing slopes or parched flower beds on the sunny side of the house.

Check out Fleabane in the Dry Rock habitat at the North Idaho Native Plant Arboretum. Open to the public, parking for the Arboretum is at 611 S. Ella Ave. or on the street.

Native Plant Notes is created by the Kinnikinnick Native Plant Society.

Information: www.nativeplantsociety.org