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Crinitaria tatarica

Previously known as:

  • Aster tataricus
Phonetic Spelling
krin-ih-TAIR-ee-ah tah-tair-IH-ka
Description

Tatarian aster is a herbaceous perennial wildflower in the sunflower family. Its stiff stems hold up showy purple flowers that bring interest in a late season garden. The genus name Aster is Latin for star, referring to the star-burst shape of the flowers.

Plant in the full sun in and it will withstand a wide variety of soil types though it prefers good drainage.  Light soils may lead to it spreading in the garden a bit too rapidly as this plant can be considered somewhat weedy. 

It tolerates the heat and humidity of southern summers well and is an excellent choice for a late-season pollinator plant, providing nectar for butterflies, moths, bees, and other pollinators when many plants are done blooming.   It is a host plant for the larvae of the Black swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) butterfly.  This is a tall plant, best used at the back of a wide border or in a naturalized area.  Even though it is tall it only needs to be staked if it is grown in loose, moist, fertile soils.  If the aggressively growing rhizomes become too large you can divide the root ball every three to four years.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Wilt, powdery mildew, and botrytis are occasional problems.  It can spread aggressively.

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.

 

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Jindai'
    Short, purple rays mustard centers
'Jindai'
Tags:
#showy flowers#fall flowers#purple flowers#moth caterpillar host#blue flowers#fall interest#upright form#fast growing#aggressive#rhizomes#lavender flowers#daisy-like#Monarch butterfly#long bloom time#naturalizes#naturalized area#flowers late summer#border back#humidity tolerant#butterfly friendly#nectar plant early fall#nectar plant mid-fall#flowers early fall#nectar plant late fall#bee friendly#flowers mid-fall#butterfly caterpillar host#weed#landscape plant sleuths course#wildflower#buncombe county sun and shade garden#moth friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Jindai'
    Short, purple rays mustard centers
'Jindai'
Tags:
#showy flowers#fall flowers#purple flowers#moth caterpillar host#blue flowers#fall interest#upright form#fast growing#aggressive#rhizomes#lavender flowers#daisy-like#Monarch butterfly#long bloom time#naturalizes#naturalized area#flowers late summer#border back#humidity tolerant#butterfly friendly#nectar plant early fall#nectar plant mid-fall#flowers early fall#nectar plant late fall#bee friendly#flowers mid-fall#butterfly caterpillar host#weed#landscape plant sleuths course#wildflower#buncombe county sun and shade garden#moth friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Crinitaria
    Species:
    tatarica
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe, Siberia
    Wildlife Value:
    Butterflies, moths, and bees find this plant a great late season nectar source. Monarchs rely on this plant as they migrate.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Ascending
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Cream/Tan
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Winter
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Description:
    Tan achenes
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Gold/Yellow
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Lavender-blue flowers 1" with yellow centers. Deadhead flowers to encourage bloom. A late blooming flower for the garden looks great from late summer up until the first frost.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Obovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Lower leaves may be quite large, 6" x 24", and paddle shaped while upper leaves are smaller.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Erect tall green stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Moths
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Heat
    Humidity
    Problems:
    Weedy