Robin's Plaintain
Erigeron pulchellus 'Lynnhaven's Carpet'
A fast-spreading, low mat of fuzzy leaves topped with lavender-pink daisies in May and June. The groundcover for shady slopes where lawn gives up.
Typically 1 pint–1 gal · $9–$30 · final price at pickup
- Thu, Sep 248 AM – 4 PM
- Fri, Sep 258 AM – 4 PM
- Sat, Sep 268 AM – 2 PM
One of the best native spreading groundcovers for shady slopes with spring flowers included.
Robin's Plantain spreads by stolons to form a soft, low mat of fuzzy, spatula-shaped leaves topped in spring and early summer with cheerful lavender-pink daisy flowers. The cultivar 'Lynnhaven's Carpet' is selected for especially vigorous spreading and compact habit, making it one of the most useful native groundcovers for shady slopes, woodland edges, and spots where lawn grass has given up. The flowers are small but produced abundantly from May into June, and native bees work them enthusiastically. Once established, it crowds out weeds effectively and handles foot traffic better than most flowering groundcovers. The foliage stays semi-evergreen in mild winters, providing year-round coverage. This is the plant to reach for when you're tired of mulching a difficult shaded slope.
A nursery-grown plant, ready for the ground.
Healthy, container-grown robin's plaintain propagated on-site at Hill House from regional genetics. Includes a one-page care card. We make every effort to supply plants as listed; occasionally we substitute a similar species of equal value.
Plant robin's plaintain instead of Vinca minor (periwinkle). Same job in the garden, without the spread.
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- Average
- Mature size
- 4–10 in · 12–24 in wide
- Bloom time
- Spring to early summer
- USDA zones
- 4–8
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native range
- Eastern North America, from Quebec south to Georgia and west to Minnesota
Care notes for robin's plaintain.
Plant in full sun to part shade in average to moist, well-drained soil. Adaptable to most soil types. Mow or shear lightly after bloom to encourage dense growth. Divide every few years to reinvigorate. Spreads steadily. a feature in open areas, manageable in borders.
Pairs well with these.
Same light, same soil, same wildlife. Janet's picks to plant alongside robin's plaintain.
Or skip the guesswork.
Curated packages bundle complementary species for an instant habitat. One reservation, one pickup day, a printed layout map.
Skyline Drive Package
This package celebrates the world renowned “Skyline Drive” by featuring native plant species encountered along the Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park.
Piedmont Rain Garden Package
For homeowners with a yard that floods when it rains, this package is your solution! The Piedmont Swale Garden Package is comprised of flood tolerant species that will thrive in wet soils.
Exceptional Patio Garden Package
The Exceptional Patio Garden Package is a low maintenance, fool proof way to guarantee an endless color show for you and your guests to enjoy all patio season long.