California Gardens

Erigeron karvinskianus * Santa Barbara Daisy, Mexican Daisy

Erigeron karvinskianus is native to an area stretching from Mexico to Venezuela but it grows so well in the Santa Barbara area that everybody in this area calls it the Santa Barbara Daisy, others call it Mexican Daisy which is probably more descriptive of its origins. Erigeron karvinskianus plants that are survivors and near weeds, albeit pretty ones. This one can be beat back with a stick, laugh at danger and bloom two weeks later. When the patch gets a little rough around the edges I mow it back, the new foliage rewards me like the picture below. Erigeron kavinskianus can seed and run a bit and if ignored it can start to get the better of me. So long as I keep my shovel and pruners at the ready this is a great plant for the 'wild garden'. Erigeron karvinskianus is a nectar source for the Painted Lady Butterfly, California Dogface Butterfly, Gray Hairstreak, as well as the Common Buckeye and is a great addition to the butterfly garden.

Erigeron karvinskianus, Santa Barbara Daisy, Mexican Daisy

White flowers of Erigeron karvinskianus known as the Santa Barbara Daisy or Mexican Daisy. High resolution photos are part of our garden image collection.