Question

Seaside Daisy 1   QUESTION: Hi Tom,

I'm looking after a friends place who has a lovely border of Seaside Daisies, which she has painstaking tried to get going. We're in South Australia and just had a period of very hot, dry couple of weeks. During the extreme hot spell a large portion of the plants located in full sun seemed to dry out, the stems turning a brown purply colour. Some plants still have green on the stems closer to the centre of the plant, others don't.  I'm a bit concerned because I understood this plant to be quite hardy and drought tolerant, and it's not my garden and wanted to keep it nice for my friend who has put a lot of effort into it. We're both novice gardeners, so were hoping you could offer a few suggestions please? I've attached a photo of the plant.

1)Is this 'brown purply' stem colour a part of the plant's cycle given the conditions? Will it re-juvinate or is it an indication that they could be dying?
2)Should I just prune the plants back? If so, just the dead blooms or a bit more? Some of the dried shrubs are starting to produce a few flowers, I'm hoping this is a hopeful sign, and didn't want to discourage this new growth?

I'd be grateful for any other ideas or suggestions.

Thanks in advance.
Renee

ANSWER: Hi Renee,
Thanx for your question.  Are you referring to Ergeron glaucus?

http://nativeson.com/images/plants/erigeron_capesebastion.jpg

http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?where-genre=Plant&where-taxon=Eriger
 here's some links for pics.

This plant is a native to the US West Coast, California to Oregon, hardy to zone 3-10.  It generally prefers a dry climate and will tolerate limited draught.  It generally, doesn't like to be too wet but will benefit from some hydration during very hot and dry times.  That's probably what has happened with your plant.  If it is still green in some places then it has probably just gone semi-dormant until the rains come back.  If you have blooms coming out on the purple stems, I'd just leave them alone.  You can deadhead spent flowers to encourage blooming.  Trim back any dead or dying foliage to encourage new growth.  Sometimes, plants will go semi-dormant when under environmental stress.  They will rejuvenate once conditions have returned to normal.  Like Donna said, it is a short-lived perennial.  These guys will often reseed themselves if the environment is accommodating enough.  I hope this helps.
Tom



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Tom.

The Erigeron I have seem to be a little different than the Erigeron glaucus.  Mine are more fine and dainty. I'm not exactly sure, but just from going on the description in the link below, perhaps Erigeron karvinskianus?

http://www.plants4perth.com.au/products/1057/Ground_Covers

http://heathhill.blogspot.com.au/2010/11/and-still-they-come.html

Would this make any difference to what you've suggested?

Renee

Answer
Hi Renee,
Thanx for the follow-up.  Yes, what you describe is more likely E. karvinskianus, also called Australian fleabane and is originally from Mexico and Central America.  Kind of a wild habit.  Should be cut back in the fall.  See link below.

http://www.igarden.com.au/plant-type.jsp?id=381&t=Erigeron

As you can see from the link, your plant has or is in the process of completing its bloom cycle.  It will now rest for fall as it now approaches and then begin blooming again in the winter in August.  You can cut it back now and it will be fine.  I hope this helps.

Tom