Seaside Daisy Erigeron glaucus 'Sea Breeze'

Water

Seaside daisy should be watered regularly, particularly during its first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Once established, it is fairly drought-tolerant, but it's still best to provide it with deep, infrequent watering to maintain its health and appearance. A good rule of thumb is to water the plant with about 1 inch of water per week, either through rainfall or manual watering. If the weather is particularly hot or dry, you may need to water twice a week, ensuring the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. During the winter months, you can reduce the amount of water as the plant requires less moisture.

Light

The Seaside daisy thrives best in full sun to partial shade conditions. It's important to place it in a spot where it receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily, although some afternoon shade can be beneficial in extremely hot climates. The ideal location would be a south-facing garden spot that provides ample sunlight while protecting the plant from the intense late-day sun.

Temperature

Seaside daisies are hardy perennial plants that can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. They survive best in a climate where temperatures remain between 35 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit but can endure temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal temperature range for optimal growth is between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pruning

Pruning Seaside daisies promotes bushier growth and more abundant blooms. It is best to prune the plant lightly throughout the growing season to deadhead spent flowers and encourage continuous blooming. A more thorough pruning should be done in late winter or early spring to remove any old or damaged growth and to shape the plant. Pruning at this time prepares the plant for vigorous growth as temperatures warm up. Pruning is typically performed once annually, with light deadheading done as needed.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Seaside Daisy thrives in well-draining soil with a mixture of sand, compost, and garden soil, forming a loamy mix. The ideal pH range for Seaside Daisy is between 6.0 and 8.0, maintaining a neutral to slightly alkaline environment for optimal growth.

Repotting

Seaside Daisy typically does not need frequent repotting and can be repotted every 2-3 years to refresh the soil. Care should be taken not to disturb the roots excessively during repotting.

Humidity & Misting

Seaside Daisy is adaptable and does not require high humidity; average atmospheric humidity is generally sufficient for its growth, making it suitable for most garden settings without the need for special humidity adjustments.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place in bright indirect light, keep soil slightly moist.

• Outdoor

  Sunny spot, well-drained soil, water when topsoil is dry.

• Hardiness zone

  7-10 USDA

Life cycle

Erigeron glaucus 'Sea Breeze', commonly known as Beach Aster, begins its life cycle when its seeds germinate in late winter to early spring, with preference for well-draining soil and some exposure to sunlight. Seedling establishment is followed by the development of a leaf rosette near the ground, and as it matures, the plant forms a mound of spoon-shaped, slightly hairy leaves. As it enters the flowering stage in late spring to summer, the Beach Aster produces numerous daisy-like flowers with lavender to pink ray florets surrounding a yellow central disc, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies. After pollination, these flowers set seeds which are then dispersed by wind or wildlife, promoting the spread of the plant to new areas. In the absence of severe weather or disease, this perennial plant will enter a period of dormancy in the fall, with the leaves dying back, and it will overwinter in this state. With the return of favourable conditions in spring, the Beach Aster resumes growth, completing its annual cycle.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• The most popular method of propagating 'Sea Breeze' Erigeron, or Seaside Daisy, is through stem cuttings. This is typically done in late spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. To propagate, a gardener should select healthy, non-flowering stems and cut a 3 to 5-inch (approximately 7.5 to 12.5 centimeters) segment just below a leaf node. The lower leaves are then removed, and the cut end may be dipped in rooting hormone powder to encourage root development. The cutting should be inserted into a moist potting mix, ensuring at least one node is below the surface. It's important to maintain humidity around the cutting by placing it in a plastic bag or under a plastic dome and keeping it in indirect light until roots have developed, after which it can be transplanted into the garden.