Q How do I propagate my Erigeron karvinskianus? Alison Mason, Swindon
AGardeners usually come across this plant in gardens open to the public, such as National Trust properties or Wisley, where it grows at the foot of walls, alongside paths and down steps. It’s a small herbaceous perennial, native to Mexico, with flowers that look very much like those of the common daisy ( Bellis perennis) to which it’s related, but its wiry, leafy stems are quite distinct.
It’s a useful plant for softening edges and it flowers from early summer into late autumn, thriving in any sunny, welldrained site, spreading and seeding itself around freely. Plants can be trimmed back in late autumn, using hedge shears.
Propagation is most easily achieved by lifting self-sown seedlings. Alternatively, sow seed in early spring at 15C (59F). Germination takes about two weeks and plants will flower two to three months later.