Purple Fleabane is the popular name given to a species of flowering plant native to North America that belongs to the family Asteraceae and is known scientifically as Erigeron Purpuratus. Both Alaska, which is a state in the United States, and Yukon, which is in Canada, are home to this species (part of Canada).
See also: All about the Gladiolus plant
Purple Fleabane: Key facts
| Common name | Purple Fleabane |
| Botanical name | Erigeron Purpuratus |
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Height | 20 cm |
| Sun | Partial sun |
| Soil | Requires well-drained soil |
Source: Pinterest
Purple Fleabane: Physical features
The maximum height of this perennial herb is 20 cm. The leaves are ovoid or lanceolate in shape, sharp, serrated, and hairy on both sides. Flowers are tubular, 5-lobed, and purplish in corymbose heads; flower heads are produced in 10-20 cm clusters at the terminal of branches. Achenes, oblong and cylindrical fruits. The seed pods are 4-6 centimetres long, have 10 ribs and are oblong. The flower blooms from October to January.
See also: Erigeron Canadensis
Purple Fleabane: History
The beautiful Purple Fleabane plants have a storied and rich history. It has been around for many many centuries. It got its name from its ancient application. In the olden days, people used to dry the Purple Fleabane and burn it in small sachets to ward off gnats, fleas, and other buzzing insects. While it has proven to be an ineffective insect repellant, the name still remains.
Purple Fleabane: How to grow?
Some kinds of Purple Fleabane are tolerant of the harsh conditions seen in the wild. This should signal that they are simple to cultivate. The fact that the plants self-seed and sprout out of any crack merely demonstrates their resilience. Ensure they are shielded from the afternoon light as you cultivate them in your garden. Here are the simple measures required to cultivate Purple Fleabane plants in your garden.
- Before planting seeds, select a location that does not receive direct sunlight during the midday or afternoon hours.
- It is easy to propagate the plant through division. Therefore, select a healthy plant growing in the wild and excavate it.
- Dig a broad circle around the plant’s root system using a spade, then remove the plant.
- Ensure that the roots are adequately covered with dirt to prevent them from drying out.
- Dig a hole that is as deep as the root ball of the plant.
- Place the plant in the hole and ensure that the top of the root ball is below the hole’s rim.
- Fill the void with soil and compact it to eliminate air pockets.
- Keep the soil moist, but not drenched, until the roots develop.
Purple Fleabane: Care tips
Purple Fleabane: Sunlight requirements
It is possible for Purple Fleabane to thrive in conditions of moderate light and partial shade; however, it does best with approximately two to four hours of diffused natural light every day.
Plants that require moderate to partial shade can withstand some exposure to bright, direct sunlight; however, it is better to provide them with a respite by planting them in regions of your space that receive mostly shade.
Purple Fleabane: Soil requirements
The ideal soil for Purple Fleabane plants is one that is well-drained and loamy. However, these hardy plants will also thrive in clay and thick soil. However, you must not take the risk. Not when you cultivate these plants for their beautiful flowers and flavorful foliage.
Mix your clay soil with sand or perlite and add a sufficient amount of mushroom compost to feed your plant throughout the growing season.
Purple Fleabane: Watering requirements
The Purple Fleabane plant calls for a satisfactory amount of water. Between waterings, you should give the top few inches of the soil a chance to dry out completely.
It is possible that you will need to water your Purple Fleabane once a week, but this will depend on where you planted it and how much light it gets.
As a general rule of thumb, you should water it once a week.
Purple Fleabane: Pruning
For a plant that develops clumps and has a predisposition to self-seed, the Purple Fleabane can be a nuisance for inexperienced gardeners. You will need to frequently prune the plant to keep it in good condition.
Aside from that, constantly remove fading blooms to promote the plant’s continued flower production. This will allow you to have flowers blooming from early spring through the fall. The plant tends to get lanky over time.
Once the last flower has faded, prune the plant vigorously to maintain its compactness. Experts advocate pruning up to fifty percent of the plant annually.
Purple Fleabane: Pest and diseases
It goes without saying that the brilliant flowers of Purple Fleabane attract a wide variety of beneficial insects and pollinators.
However, while doing so, they also attract undesirable insects and vermin. From aphids to whiteflies to spider mites, you have a full plate. While you can always spray them away with water, doing so in conditions of high humidity could result in fungal infestations.
So either you pick them up by hand and drown them in a bucket, or you drown them manually. Alternatively, you might use neem oil to eliminate huge infestations.
Purple Fleabane: Uses
The purple Fleabane plant has a long history of traditional use for the treatment of a variety of conditions that are associated with the skin, central nervous system, kidney, gynaecology, gastrointestinal tract, metabolic system, and general health.
- It is used in the treatment of skin problems.
- Many people use it as a means of blood purification due to the belief that it helps the body get rid of harmful toxins more efficiently.
Source: Pinterest
Purple Fleabane: Toxicity
Purple fleabane can be fatal to your pets. Take caution, and keep the plant out of the reach of cats, dogs, and any other pets.
FAQs:
What is the Fleabane flower?
Erigeron Purpuratus is a flowering plant species in the daisy family native to North America. It is also known as purple fleabane.
Is Erigeron an annual plant?
Erigeron is a simple, tiny, herbaceous perennial with summer flowers.
