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Ampelaster carolinianus is often confused with:
Erigeron pulchellus Erigeron pulchellus
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Monarda didyma Flowers
Solidago sempervirens Form
Viola sororia Viola papilionacea

Climbing Aster Ampelaster carolinianus

Previously known as:

  • Aster carolinianus
  • Symphyotrichum carolinianum
Phonetic Spelling
am-pel-ASS-ter kay-ro-lin-ee-AY-nus
Description

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:
Tags:
#purple#deciduous#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#fall flowers#pink flowers#yellow flowers#native perennials#climbing#fall interest#small mammals#ncemgva2018#fast growing#highly beneficial coastal plants#summer flowers#deer resistant#Pearl Crescent butterfly#native garden#pollinator plant#native wildflower#larval host plant#NC Native Pollinator Plant#Coastal OBL#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Piedmont Mountains FACW#wet soils tolerant#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#vine#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#Audubon#perennial#food source winter#fence#wildflower#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#deciduous#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#fall flowers#pink flowers#yellow flowers#native perennials#climbing#fall interest#small mammals#ncemgva2018#fast growing#highly beneficial coastal plants#summer flowers#deer resistant#Pearl Crescent butterfly#native garden#pollinator plant#native wildflower#larval host plant#NC Native Pollinator Plant#Coastal OBL#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Piedmont Mountains FACW#wet soils tolerant#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#vine#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#Audubon#perennial#food source winter#fence#wildflower#wildlife friendly
  • 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
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Herb
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Vine
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Climbing
    Erect
    Irregular
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Winter
    Fruit Description:
    Displays from November to January
  • 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).
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
  • 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