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Symphyotrichum ericoides is often confused with:
Calluna vulgaris Showy, bright purple flowers
Native alternative(s) for Symphyotrichum ericoides:
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus Form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Erigeron Erigeron compactus
Symphyotrichum oblongifolium Flowers
Verbascum thapsus Flowers

White Heath Aster Symphyotrichum ericoides

Other plants called White Heath Aster:

Previously known as:

  • Aster pilosus
Phonetic Spelling
ASS-ter pil-OH-sus
Description

Heath aster is a perennial in the Asteraceae (daisy) family native to North America.  The genus name Symphyotrichum comes from the Greek word "symph" which means come together and "trich" or hair in reference to the hairy looking flower anthers.  The speices ericoides refers to this plants resemblece to a plant from the Erica or heather genus.  Specific epithet means resembling the family Ericaceae (heather).In its native habitat is found growing in dry thickets, roadsides, clearings, and fields.  It grows to a height of  18 inches to 3 feet tall and 1 foot to 18 inches wide depending on wind and the dryness of growing conditions.

Plant in the full sun with medium to dry well-drained soils.  It tolerates a wide range of soils including shallow and rocky, heavy clay, and poor soils.  Once established it is tolerant of drought and deer browsing.   This species is resistant to mildew.  Cut back hard in the early spring to improve appearance. 

The profuse showy white daisy-like flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies nd provide much needed late season nectar as they bloom from late summer to mid fall.  It is effective for erosion mitigation in sloped areas.  Use it in the front of a border in a cut flower, rock, or wildflower garden, or let this plant naturalize but be sure to provide plenty of room.

Fire Risk: This plant has a medium flammability rating. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious problems.  Tall plants may need staking.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Snow Flurry'
    Grows along the ground, white flowers
'Snow Flurry'
Tags:
#showy flowers#drought tolerant#white flowers#low maintenance#slopes#erosion control#specialized bees#disease resistant#fire medium flammability#deer resistant#thickets#cutting garden#pollinator plant#poor soils tolerant#border front#flowers late summer#rocky soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#flowers early fall#bee friendly#flowers mid-fall#roadside#wildflower
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Snow Flurry'
    Grows along the ground, white flowers
'Snow Flurry'
Tags:
#showy flowers#drought tolerant#white flowers#low maintenance#slopes#erosion control#specialized bees#disease resistant#fire medium flammability#deer resistant#thickets#cutting garden#pollinator plant#poor soils tolerant#border front#flowers late summer#rocky soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#flowers early fall#bee friendly#flowers mid-fall#roadside#wildflower
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Symphyotrichum
    Species:
    pilosus
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Canada, northern central U.S.A., to Mexico
    Fire Risk Rating:
    medium flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    Flowers are attractive to butterflies. Members of the genus Symphyotrichum support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) asteris, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) asteroides, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) hirticincta, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) nubecula, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) placata, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) simplex, and Colletes simulans.
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Mildew
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 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 Type:
    Achene
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Petals:
    more than 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    .75-in. flower head; 15-25 white to pale purplish petals; yellow center on one sided racems. Blooms from late summer to mid fall.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Velvety
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Oblong
    Spatulate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Hairy or smooth, narrow or lance shaped, stalkless, 1-3 in. leaves; limited or no teeth. Resemble heather leaves.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Several slender branches which are ascending or stiffly spreading
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Slope/Bank
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Predatory Insects
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Diseases
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Erosion
    Poor Soil