Climbing Aster Ampelaster carolinianus
Previously known as:
- Aster carolinianus
- Symphyotrichum carolinianum
- Phonetic Spelling
- am-pel-ASS-ter kay-ro-lin-ee-AY-nus
- Description
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Climbing Aster is a sprawling herbaceous perennial that produces long stems and can climb to heights greater than 10 feet. It prefers to sprawl over the top of fence posts or other plants or can be located and allowed to use a trellis for its support. The side branches grow horizontally, allowing them to use adjoining plants for support of the plant structure.
It can be found growing in marshy shores, stream banks, edges of swamps, moist thickets or wet woodlands. Standing water may affect the plant's health, so a location where good drainage can be accomplished is desirable. It will tolerate seasonal flooding.
Deadhead this plant in the fall, but refrain from any additional trimming at that time. Delaying until spring when the plant is showing signs of awakening is a better alternative.
In the late summer and fall, it produces pink to purple blooms with yellow centers.
The rapid growing-spreading habit may require frequent division.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Common diseases of the climbing aster include wilt disease, powdery mildew, and botrytis.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Aster
- Species:
- carolinianis
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- SE. U.S.A
- Distribution:
- FL, GA, NC, SC
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant is a larval host to Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos) caterpillars which have several broods and appear from April through November in the north and throughout the year in the deep south and Mexico. Adult Pearl Crescent butterflies feed on a large variety of flower nectars. Its flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies. Songbirds and small mammals eat the seeds.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Wet soil, dry soil, moderately deer resistant
- Climbing Method:
- Scrambler
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Vine
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
- Erect
- Irregular
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Winter
- Fruit Description:
- Displays from November to January
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Flower Shape:
- Wheel
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The Climbing aster has pink to purple flowers with yellow centers in late summer into fall (September - November).
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- The veined leaves of the Climbing aster are simple, alternate and narrowly oval.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Pool/Hardscape
- Slope/Bank
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Dry Soil
- Wet Soil
