Machaeranthera Species, Tansy-leaf Aster, Tahoka Daisy, Wild Aster

I really like this little native annual. Its been simple to start, tolerates drought and heat (once it's roots are established) and bloom...Read Mores a long time, much earlier and longer than my perennial asters. It also has a nice habit, like a little round shrub a foot tall and a bit wider. Don't expect it to smother itself in flowers like other asters. This one paces itself. Like other asters, though, They've been popular with native bees and small butterflies.

I grew these from seeds I got from my sister in New Mexico. Her plants were short 12"-16" tall and she was growing them in a large plant...Read Moreer in full sun. Mine have gotten a good 2' tall, albeit it is cooler here and I do water them regularly. The foliage is not attractive, but I love the color of the flowers which are a bright purple. I wish they were perennial, annuals are a bit more work here on the central coast of California as our winters are mild and it effects the germination rate. But I did get a half dozen plants and plan on growing more next year. These are keepers, well worth starting yearly for those beautiful flowers.

A beautiful wildflower. Very drought tolerant and floriferous. A nectar source for butterflies and bees.

Easily winter sown hardy annual that began blooming on May 4 in my Southeastern Zone 8 garden and is still flowering on August 29. Doesn...Read More't seem to mind being next to my sidewalk, and the ferny foliage is very attractive.