1. Common Sand Aster – Corethrogyne (Lessingia) filaginifolia
var. filaginifolia & virgata
(cor-eh-THRA-gen-ee fill-AH-jin-i-FOE-lee-uh)
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
coastal bluffs up into the upper elevations of the mountains of central and southern
California; var. californica: northern coast of CA, var. filaginifolia: s Sierra Nevada, San Joaquin
Valley, Central- and Southwestern California. Coastal scrub, oak woodlands, grasslands.
Native to:
perennial shrub
mature height: 1-3 ft. mature width: 1-2 (to 5) ft.
Shrubby perennial from a shrubby, woody base. May be compact or leggy. Foliage is gray-green,
lacy, attractive. Plants is very hardy, drought-deciduous (loses leaves in drought).
Growth characteristics:
Blooms July-Oct. Attractive purple „daisy flowers‟ with yellow center.
adequate winter water produces many blooms per plant.
Blooms/fruits:
Given
Uses in the garden: Excellent plant in a native garden, with other summer-dry plants like native
bunchgrasses, annuals and perennial shrubs. Excellent for bird/butterfly habitat garden.
For a
more “tailored” look, try the low-lying cultivar „Silver Carpet‟. This cultivar has silvery foliage and
makes an excellent, quick-growing groundcover on slopes, over walls, in rock gardens.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native asters; other white-foliage perennials & ground covers.
Attracts: Excellent butterfly habitat, providing both nectar and larval food for Gabb's Checkerspot .
Also good bird habitat: provides cover and seeds for food.
Requirements:
Element
Requirement
Sun
Soil
Water
Full sun to light shade (leggier in shade)
Any well-drained soil; any local pH
Best with no summer water; „Silver Carpet‟ cultivar takes occasional summer water,
particularly in hot gardens
None required
Fertilizer
Other
Don’t over water (will shorten life).
condition will not be noticed in the drought season.
maintain shape.
Management:
Propagation: from seed: easy
Place in a spot where its semi-deciduous
„Silver Carpet‟ cultivar can be pruned to
by cuttings: softwood cuttings in late summer
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 8, 10, 16 'Silver Carpet': 1, 3, 6, 7, 11, 13
2/26/11
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