7) Erigeron, Hymenoxys, Townsendia and other Asteraceae

Recently we moved Symphotrichum ericoides 'Snow Flurry' into several pockets in a rock wall, and have been impressed by their performance. Now we are hunting for other colour forms of Symphotrichum to add to the wall to give it more interest in the late season. I know that S. ericoides comes in other colour forms (pink or blue), but have not been able to find any other prostrate/creeping forms to compliment 'Snow Flurry'. I would welcome any recommendations (US zone 5 to 6 here).

Tonestus (Haplopappus) lyalli is a common alpine in this area, where it might only be confused at first glance with Erigeron aureus. (On closer inspection, the leafy stems of T. lyallii and the different calyces (purple-hairy on E. aureus) and flower differences readily distinguish the two species.)

Chaenactis douglasii var. alpina, which was, unfortunately, very short-lived in my garden!

Here it is in nature:

http://www.swcoloradowildflowers.com/White%20Enlarged%20Photo%20Pages/chaenactis%20alpina%20and%20douglasii.htm

Erigeron compositus, Helen Lake/Cirque Peak area, Banff N.P., AB, mid-August:

Erigeron aureus is  a lovely little plant, common in these parts from montane through to alpine elevations, and, luckily, very recognizable, as it's the only yellow-flowered Erigeron that occurs in this area (the front range Rockies west of Calgary).  

Here are some examples from the Helen Lake/Cirque Peak area, Banff N.P., at the end of August.  The second photo shows Tonestus lyallii in the background.

Here is Erigeron grandiflorus on Forgetmenot Ridge, Kananaskis Country, AB, mid-July:

I am thinking of ordering some Celmisia seeds to trial in southwestern Nova Scotia. Our winters are fairly wet, monthly average rainfall  for November =112 mm, December = 90 mm, January = 73 mm, February = 52 mm, March = 65 mm. Average snowfall during these months in cm is as follows N =7, D = 34, J = 59,  F = 40,  M = 36 cm. Our monthly average winter high and low temperatures in celcius are: N  7.6 / 1.3,  D 2.0 / -4.8,  J -0.3 / -8.1,  F 0.0 / -8.0, M 3.7 / -4.2

Gazania linearis Colorado Gold.
Anyone growing this in zone 5 or 6 east of the Mississippi?  Of two nurseries I found listing it, one said Z5 and the other Z7.  Guessing that Z5 is in Colorado and Z7 is in North Carolina -- like so many others.  I did buy one locally because it has small red markings, rather than the usual all yellow or brown markings.
Will keep it indoors the first winter, then maybe will have some to try outside in a dry sheltered location.
Charles S  MA USA Z6a

A bit different from the little daisies of most of this board! and probably a bit rampant for most gardens, still Petasites are prominent wildflowers here, and I will be trying some in garden beds not too near anything delicate! I was talking about them on another thread, and thought it made sense to give them their own searchable thread....
Here's a repeat of that message...

Here is a tiny gem from the Sierra Nevada range. Erigeron pygmaeus is a high elevation daisy usually found above tree line on exposed screes. It has a limited distribution from eastern CA and extremely western NV.

I came across this intensely colored little daisy while hiking up Slide Mountain just south of Reno. I was seeking Eriogonum lobbii to photograph and for some reason I was distracted from my goal when the corner of my eye caught a flash of purple.