The leaves are also hairy, with a lance shape and slightly serrated to smooth margins. Sturdy, straight stems darken to brown and become woody. It has hairy branching stems and a clumping growth habit. Photo by USGS Native Bee Inventory and Monitoring Laboratory, Wikimedia Commons, via CC BY-SA pilosum, is a native species that grows to mature dimensions of between two and four feet tall and wide. Please see our calico aster growing guide for more information. It makes a funky back-of-bed anchor behind mid- and low-profile specimens, provided it is staked.įind seeds now from Cheryl’s Unique Flower Seeds via Amazon. Also, it is able to tolerate occasional flooding.Ĭalico aster makes an attractive showing with some yellow and some reddish-purple center disks, for a mottled – or calico – appearance. Two noteworthy characteristics are that this plant thrives exceptionally well in disturbed soil, such as land that has been uprooted for construction. The ideal soil is organically-rich and well-draining. Plants thrive in full sun to part shade locations. Center disks are yellow maturing to reddish-purple.īlossoms are clustered in upright panicles along the uppermost side of each stem, and this pattern is the reason for the alternate name, “side-flowering.” They measure one-half to one-third of an inch across. The flowers have white rays that may be tinged with purple. The lower leaves may have some serration of the margins. They are larger at the bottom of the plant, gradually becoming smaller towards the top of the stem. The leaves are rough textured and narrow, and may be somewhat hairy. There is some horizontal branching, and staking may be necessary. The stems are hairy and mature to red-brown. lateriflorum, is a mid-sized species that generally tops out at about two to three feet tall with an equal spread. This tall type is impressive when planted en masse, and naturalizes beautifully in informal wildflower gardens and stand-alone drifts.įind seeds now from Seedville via Amazon. Its preference is for organically-rich, moist, well-drained soil, but it also thrives in average soil with dry to medium moisture levels. This plant prefers full sun, but also does well in part shade locations. They wither and drop by late summer.īlooms have pale to bright blue rays surrounding yellow center disks, and measure about three quarters of an inch across. Lower foliage is heart-shaped and larger than the upper leaves. The leaves are prominently serrated and may be covered in sparse hair. This type has a tendency towards “leggy” growth, and generally requires staking. Atop each stem is a panicle heavily laden with blossoms. Upright branching stems mature to reddish brown. cordifolium, is a tall native species with a mature height of approximately two to five feet. In overly fertile soil, this plant may fail to thrive in competition with other vigorous plants. This is an excellent choice for problem areas of the landscape where the soil is dry and eroding. Soil of average quality is adequate, provided it drains well. Plants thrive in a full sun location, but will tolerate part shade. The centers turn reddish purple as they age. They are approximately one and one-quarter inches across, and are clustered at the ends of the branches. The flowers have violet blue rays with yellow center disks. When crushed, they give off an aromatic fir-like aroma. They have smooth margins and are large at the bottom, becoming smaller near the tops of the stems. The leaves may range in color from yellowish to dark green. The lower portions turn brown and woody in the fall. The stems are stiff and branching, giving it a bushy appearance. The aromatic aster, Symphyotrichum oblongifolium, is a medium-sized native species with a mature height of one to three feet, and an equal spread. The following list highlights the characteristics of 11 of the best perennial aster species. In shades of blue, pink, purple, and white, these native and non-native plants are dynamic growers that naturalize with vigor under ideal growing conditions.
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