This fuss-free perennial was traditionally valued for the dried foliage which was said to repel fleas. Nowadays Mexican Fleabane it is treasured for its frothy clumps of colour-shifting daisies that last endlessly throughout summer. Flowers open white before gradually turning to shades of pink, creating a colourful patchwork of blooms that are irresistible to pollinating insects. Its low, spreading habit and semi evergreen foliage make this a versatile addition to the garden.

Erigeron is hardy and resilient, even on poor soils or exposed locations, and needs virtually no maintenance once established. All it asks is a free draining soil in a sunny spot, although it will also tolerate some light shade. In return, it will reward you with maximum flower power, year after year.

Mexican Fleabane melds seamlessly into any planting scheme. Whether it’s spilling from containers, underplanting roses, wandering through cottage gardens or nestling in nooks and crannies. Once established it will even seed about to form new clumps that quietly emerge to fill the smallest of gaps. Despite its ability to thrive in challenging conditions, this plant will need care initially to help it settle in. Here's how to get started:

How to plant

— Plant as soon as possible after delivery, ideally within a week. Erigeron is supplied as a 9cm root ball plant, like a potted plant with soil on the roots. They should be watered upon arrival and planted within a week of delivery. Erigeron root-balls are supplied between September to December for autumn planting, or February to May for spring planting, they must be planted in the same season as supplied.

— Root ball plants can often be planted directly into a clear space in well prepared borders. Avoid planting them directly into a space which is close to more established plants which could over-crowd them during the growing season. In areas where growing conditions are more challenging, e.g. poor soil, dry areas or areas where there will be competition with other plants, root ball plants should be potted up in 15-20cm pots and grown on in a sheltered spot outdoors until they are more established. They can be transplanted to borders once they have grown a stronger root system and produced top growth. They will be ready to transfer into the garden when they look like they're starting to outgrow their temporary pots, the plant should come out of the pot with the compost held intact by the roots.

— Plant bare roots or root balls so that the root system is fully submerged in the soil, leaving the top growth exposed above the soil surface. If your plant doesn't have much top growth, it should have buds at the crown of the root system and the buds should be left level with the soil surface. If planting root ball plants directly into a border, choose a sunny or partially shaded position ideally with light soil and space the plants 30-40cm apart. Add multipurpose compost to each planting hole to help the new roots grow.

— Water-in after planting and continue to water regularly whenever to soil feels dry 3-5cm below the surface during the first year. Over winter if th soil is already damp, it is unlikely that they will need additional watering. Once established, they are failry drought tolerant and rarely need watering at all.

— Once established, Erigeron copes well in most aspects, from hot south-facing or exposed positions to more shady and sheltered areas.

— Erigeron karvinskianus (Mexican Fleabane) are hardy perennials, there is no need to protect them from frost over winter. However, in the first year, newly-potted plants may need some shelter during cold snaps.

Aftercare:

— Mexican Fleabane is semi-evergreen, shedding many leaves in autumn but often retaining some foliage and even flowers throughout the winter months.

— In early spring when new shoots start to emerge, shear back the old stems to just above ground level.

— You can cut them back for a second time in autumn if they begin to look untidy - they soon produce new growth.