Erigeron 'B. Ladhams' (Fleabane)

About

Erigeron 'B. Ladhams' is a cultivated selection of the genus Erigeron in the Asteraceae family. It flowers in the UK from June to September. The genus name alludes to the pale, hairy seedheads that commonly form soon after flowering. The group is commonly known in English as fleabane.

About the genus

Erigeron is a large genus of plants in the composite family (Asteraceae). It is placed in the tribe Astereae and is closely related to the Old World asters (Aster) and the true daisies (Bellis). The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution, and the highest diversity occurs in North America.

Wikipedia contributors, "Erigeron", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Erigeron

In the garden

Erigeron 'B. Ladhams' belongs to Erigeron, a large genus in the Asteraceae with a cosmopolitan distribution and its greatest species diversity in North America. As a named cultivar it sits within that wider group rather than representing a wild species; the genus’s English name, fleabane, reflects traditional names and the appearance of seedhead hairs rather than any single botanical feature of the cultivar. Requirements for Erigeron cultivars vary, so check the supplier’s label for specific guidance on siting and soil. In the UK the definitive flowering window for this cultivar is June to September, so plan its use where a reliable summer display is needed. Monitor the plant through its first season to adjust watering and exposure as required and remove spent flowerheads if you wish to limit any self-seeding. Use Erigeron 'B. Ladhams' where a summer-flowering perennial can complement grasses or late-spring shrubs; the breeding of named selections often aims to extend display compared with wild types. After flowering expect the typical Erigeron seedheads to develop their pale, downy hairs, a feature that influenced the genus name and can add a different textural interest at the end of the season.

More in the Erigeron genus

Browse all Erigeron →