Common Fleabane

Description

Common Fleabane is often found on the banks of streams, as it has a preference for marshy or at least permanently damp soil. Has downy stems and very downy, wavy-edged Lanceolate leaves. The narrow linear rays and the disc florets are golden yellow and form compound flower heads. Grows best in wet, marshy ground, but can cope in a range of soil conditions. It is ideal for a garden pond edge, bog garden and other damp habitats, where the plants will attract a wide range of insect life, such as bees, dragonflies, and damselflies. Common Fleabane grows to medium height, around 90cm, and produces cheery yellow flowers that appear from July to September—position in full sun or partial shade.

It has a few common names, including frost-root, poor Robin’s plantain, and seaside daisy (because of its daisy-like flowers).