Tatarian Daisy Crinitaria tatarica
Other Common Name(s):
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'
- 'Jindai'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Jindai'
Short, purple rays mustard centers
- 'Jindai'
- 'Jindai'
- Tags:
-
-
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.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Fine
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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
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Cream/Tan
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Tan achenes
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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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Erect tall green stems
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-
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