SHOWY DAISY

Erigeron speciosus

Sunflower Family (Compositae)

This robust perennial daisy is common in mountain meadows and under the aspens throughout our region. It forms large, leafy clumps that tend to increase slowly in size over time. The relatively large flower heads are usually a deep lavender with yellow centers, though colors through pink and white are also sometimes seen. The Europeans have taken this plant into cultivation and made several selections, but it is rarely seen in gardens in North America. It can be used as a stunning tall perennial border or as a specimen plant, combined with other shade-tolerant mountain perennials such as sticky geranium and meadow fire, or as part of informal mountain meadow plantings. The deep green, leafy foliage makes the plant quite attractive even after flowering. It likes rich soils and regular water in the summer, and can grow in either full sun or dappled shade.