It might be tempting to pass on this one, sometimes dismissed as a weed, at the garden center, but that would be a mistake.
Erigeron karvinskianus, or Santa Barbara Daisy, is a tough, almost carefree perennial and so useful in the garden. Delicate evergreen foliage stays under 12 inches tall, and plants are covered in small daisy-like flowers spring through fall. Flowers emerge white and fade to a pinkish lavender which adds to their interest.
Grow in full sun to partial sun in well-draining, even sandy or chalky soil. Erigeron is very drought tolerant once established but will look better with regular water in our hot summers. Hardy to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Plants spread by seed and rhizomatous roots but are easy to control; shear to the ground in late winter and reduce the clump as needed to control size. Deadheading is not required, but an occasional light shearing will encourage more flowering and reduce the spread of seed, if that is a concern.
Really no known pest or disease problems. Very attractive to pollinators. With its trailing habit, Erigeron is very useful as an edging or filler plant in the border, spilling over the edge of a container, cascading over a garden wall or boulder, or filling crevices in a patio or walkway. This is UC Davis Arboretum All Star.
