Showy Fleabane

Erigeron speciosis

Asteraceae

• Spokane Native
• Sun-Part Shade
• Size: 2’ wide x 3’ tall
• Drought Tolerant: Yes
• Evergreen: no
• Flower Color: Lavender, blue, white, or purple with yellow centers (June - September)
• Wildlife Value:  bees, butterflies, and other pollinators; serves as caterpillar host and larval food source for native moths and butterflies

Showy Fleabane is a vigorous, clump-forming perennial that lives up to its name with abundant, eye-catching blooms throughout the summer months. This upright native thrives in full sun to part shade and adapts well to various conditions, from moist meadows to dry slopes. It prefers well-drained soils including sandy, gravelly, or rocky substrates, making it versatile for challenging garden sites. The plant grows from a short woody base, producing clustered stems that reach 1 to 3 feet tall depending on growing conditions. Once established, this hardy native demonstrates excellent drought tolerance while still performing best with occasional summer moisture.

The spectacular daisy-like flowers are among the showiest in the fleabane genus, featuring an impressive 65-150 narrow ray florets in shades of lavender, blue, purple, or occasionally white surrounding a bright yellow disc center. Each flower head measures 1-2 inches across and appears in open clusters atop well-leafed stems. The species name "speciosus" means "pretty" or "showy," perfectly describing these long-blooming beauties that flower from June through September. The foliage consists of narrowly oval, gray-green leaves that are triple-nerved and glabrous, with lower leaves being oblanceolate and petiolate. By autumn, the leaves may turn reddish-purple before the flowers mature into fluffy white seedheads.

Showy Fleabane provides exceptional value for pollinators, attracting native bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects throughout its extended bloom period. The plant serves as an important caterpillar host and larval food source for native moths and butterflies, contributing significantly to the local food web. While the common name "fleabane" historically suggested flea-repelling properties, this species is more valued today for its ecological contributions. The abundant nectar-rich flowers support pollinator populations during the critical summer months, making this species particularly valuable in wildlife gardens and pollinator corridors.

This can be used as a specimen plant, hedge, understory plant, erosion control on slopes, wildlife habitat, or edible landscape feature. May form colonies through suckering, making it ideal for windbreaks and naturalized plantings.