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colorful fall leaves of rhus aromatica
Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Lo’ (Fragrant Sumac) Photo © Mary Free
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Erigeron pulchellus (Robin’s Plantain)

Villous leaves of native Erigeron pulchellus basal rosettes.
Erigeron pulchellus (Robin's plantain) lavender buds and flowers in late March.
Erigeron pulchellus (Robin's plantain) in Bon Air Park's Quarry Shade Garden in April.
Erigeron pulchellus (Robin's plantain) buds and flowers in April.
Erigeron pulchellus (Robin's plantain) flowering plants in April.
Pappi of capillary bristles of native Erigeron pulchellus
Villous peduncle (.2–3' long) subtended by a bract of Erigeron pulchellus
Erigeron pulchellus 'Lynnhaven Carpet' (Robin's plantain) flowers in May.

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Erigeron pulchellus Robin’s Plantain Native* to rocky or open woods, stream banks, and fields and favoring dappled sun, this Aster family member delights with charming composite flowers for three weeks from late March to May. It can naturalize to create colonies where its basal rosettes form a dense, year-round carpet in naturalistic gardens, flower borders, or rock gardens. Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic Ground Cover Height: 11⁄2–2 feet Characteristics Loose terminal flower clusters (capitula) with densely packed, thread-like ray florets around central yellow disk florets late March to May Basal Rosette, Buds, Flowers, Seed Heads Spread: 11⁄2–2 feet Bloom Color: White, pink to lavender Perennial with unbranched (except for peduncles) pubescent stem rising from a basal rosette Rosettes of soft, hairy, paddle-shaped basal leaves; alternate, clasping, ovate to lanceolate stem leaves Bullet-shaped cypselae with pappi of capillary bristles develop 2–3 weeks following blooms Self-seeding, spreads by stolons Attributes Tolerates drought, dry soil, heat, humidity; no serious pests or diseases; rabbits may browse; deer** occasionally severely damage Attracts bees, flies, butterflies, and skippers; larval host for ~20 lepidopterans Growing and Maintenance Tips Soil Requirements: Well-drained Excellent Replacement for Ajuga reptans - Bugleweed Light Requirements: Partial Shade Glechoma hederacea - Ground ivy Water Requirements: Dry, Moist Leucanthemum vulgare - Ox-eye Daisy Good drainage essential, performs poorly in rich soils Vinca minor - Periwinkle Slow to germinate when grown from seed; sow thickly *It is present in DC, some MD counties, and much of PA. In DE, it is common in the Piedmont but absent in the Coastal Plain. In VA, it is frequent in the mountains and Piedmont; infrequent in the Coastal Plain. In NoVA, it is not reported in Loudoun County. **‘Lynnhaven’s Carpet’ cultivar described as deer-resistant. Use in meadows or naturalized areas, as ground cover in borders or rock gardens Hardiness: USDA Zones 3a–8b developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Elaine Mills, private garden, Arlington, and Glencarlyn Garden and by Mary Free (top right), Shade Garden

Tried and True Native Plant Selections
 for the Mid-Atlantic

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Erigeron pulchellus (Robin’s Plantain)

Native* to rocky or open woods, stream banks, and fields and favoring dappled sun, this Aster family member delights with charming composite flowers for three weeks from late March to May. It can naturalize to create colonies where its basal rosettes form a dense, year-round carpet in naturalistic gardens, flower borders, or rock gardens.

*It is present in DC, some MD counties, and much of PA. In DE, it is common in the Piedmont but absent in the Coastal Plain. In VA, it is frequent in the mountains and Piedmont; infrequent in the Coastal Plain. In NoVA, it is not reported in Loudoun County. You can view the VA counties in which it has been reported here.

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants: 
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets