Erigeron Strahlenmeer

Erigeron 'Strahlenmeer' is a very attractive variety of Fleabane that is reminiscent of some asters, while also having more modest stature and excellent performance in borders without requiring staking. It is highly floriferous in summer, producing very pretty semi-double heads made up of very fine rays of bright blue-mauve surrounding a golden centre. Simple and generous, this Erigeron easily finds its place in sunny borders, and its cut flowers are long-lasting in a vase. Very hardy, it is grown like an aster: in the sun, in any good garden soil that remains moist in summer but not too heavy.

Erigeron, commonly known as Fleabane, belongs to the Asteraceae family. Erigeron 'Strahlenmeer' is a horticultural hybrid resulting from the cross-breeding of several botanic species from temperate climates. It is a herbaceous perennial that forms a upright clump from spring, reaching a height of 60-70 cm (24-28in) when flowering, and a width of about 40 cm (16in). The plant develops deciduous above-ground vegetation that dries up in winter. Its small leaves are lanceolate in shape, pointed, and greyish-green in colour. From June to August, this Erigeron offers a long and abundant flowering at the top of stiff, branched stems, with flower heads organized in capitula. Each capitulum, measuring 4 to 5 cm (2in) in diameter, is composed of numerous very thin ligules or petals, light blue-mauve in colour, arranged in a collar around a central disk where many tiny yellow florets are tightly packed. These flowers attract pollinating insects and are long-lasting on the plant as well as in a vase. This sterile variety, which does not produce seeds, is not invasive.

This 'Strahlenmeer' Fleabane, being very hardy, is very similar to summer asters: it is also easy to grow, but has the advantage of flowering abundantly and for a long time without collapsing under the weight of its flowers. This excellent perennial will therefore be welcome in sunny borders and flower beds, or to edge a pathway. Combine this fleabane with wild perennials such as Peach-Leaved Bellflower, Dame's Rocket, Spike Speedwell, Wood Sage, Valerian, Yarrow, and many others. A beautiful scene can be created by associating it, for example, with 'Full Moon Madness' Coreopsis, 'Elsbeth' Perennial Geranium, and White Amplexicaule Bistort. Its fully opened cut flowers have a long vase life and will make splendid bouquets with peonies, delphiniums, or even roses.