Cape Sebastian Seaside Daisy (Erigeron glaucus ‘Cape Sebastian’) is a compact California native perennial known for its low, spreading growth habit, evergreen blue-green foliage, and cheerful lavender-purple, daisy-like flowers with golden-yellow centers. Blooming from spring through summer and often longer in mild climates, this beautiful groundcover brings lasting color to coastal gardens, borders, rock gardens, and containers. It thrives in coastal conditions, tolerates wind and salt spray, and attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators. With well-drained soil and occasional watering once established, it is a wonderful choice for a water-wise native garden.

Quick care: Full sun to part shade • Low to moderate water once established • Well-drained soil • Lavender-purple flowers • Evergreen, spreading groundcover. See the Plant Profile and Growing Conditions below for full details.

Plant Profile

• Plant Type: Evergreen perennial groundcover

• Mature Size: Approximately 3–8 inches tall and 18–24 inches wide

• Native Range: Selected garden cultivar of a species native to the Pacific Coast of California and Oregon

• Flower Color: Lavender to violet-purple with yellow centers

• Bloom Time: Spring through summer, sometimes extending into fall

• Foliage: Evergreen, blue-green to gray-green, spoon-shaped leaves

• Growth Habit: Compact, low-growing mound that spreads to form a dense groundcover

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun along the coast; partial shade or afternoon shade in hotter inland gardens

• Water: Low to moderate; occasional summer water may be needed inland

• Soil: Well-drained sandy, loamy, or adaptable soil; tolerates some clay when drainage is adequate

• USDA Zones: Approximately 6–10, depending on local conditions

• Drought Tolerant: Yes, once established, especially in coastal gardens

• Maintenance: Low; remove faded flowers to encourage additional blooms and maintain a tidy shape. Trim lightly if the plant becomes leggy.

Planting Instructions

• Best Planting Time: Fall through spring in California, when temperatures are mild and seasonal rainfall can support establishment

• Spacing: Plant approximately 18–24 inches apart for groundcover, allowing room for the plant to spread

• Planting Depth: Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and about twice as wide. Set the plant at the same depth it was growing in its nursery container

• Establishment Water: Water thoroughly after planting. Water regularly during establishment, allowing the soil to drain between waterings

• Long-Term Care: Gradually reduce watering as the plant establishes. Coastal plants may need little supplemental summer water, while inland plants benefit from occasional deep watering and afternoon shade. Avoid persistently soggy soil, and remove spent flower stalks as desired to encourage fresh blooms.

Wildlife & Pollinators

• Attracts: Native bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects

• Pollinator Value: The long-lasting daisy-like flowers provide nectar and pollen for visiting pollinators

• Wildlife Benefits: Seeds may be eaten by small birds, including finches and juncos

• Deer Resistant: May be resistant to browsing, though deer behavior varies by location

• Garden Benefits: Excellent for coastal gardens, groundcover, borders, rock gardens, containers, slopes, and low-water landscapes

• Notable: ‘Cape Sebastian’ is one of the more compact selections of seaside daisy, making it especially useful for small spaces and the front of garden beds. Its lavender flowers stand out against its blue-green foliage, and its tolerance of coastal wind and salt spray makes it a reliable choice for seaside plantings.