Ionactis linariifolia
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- eye-OHN-ak-tiss lin-air-ee-ah-FOH-lee-ah
- Description
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This plant, with its erect, wiry stems, and needle-like dense leaves is sometimes known as Stiff Aster. Its drought tolerance and clump-forming habit make it an excellent addition to the rock garden; it can be as tall at 15-20". It prefers acid soils in mixed woods of hickory, pine, and oak; but can grow in open glades. Flowers blooming late summer into fall are mostly blue-purple to white, that may mature to red, with a yellow center. This plant is native to eastern North America and most of North Carolina.
- 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:
- Ionactis
- Species:
- linariifolia
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- naturalizing, rock gardens, perennial border
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern Canada to U.S.A
- Distribution:
- Coastal, Piedmont, Mountains
- Wildlife Value:
- native pollinator flower
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 3 in. - 1 ft. 8 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- 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:
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8a, 8b, 9b, 9a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Crown
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- more than 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small with rays reaching 1 in across around a yellow center of disc flowers.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Poor Soil
