Georgia Aster Symphyotrichum georgianum
Previously known as:
- Aster georgianus
- Aster patens var. georgianus
- Phonetic Spelling
- sim-fy-oh-TRY-kum
- Description
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Georgia Aster is a native herbaceous wildflower in the daisy family (Asteraceae) native to Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. It is typically found in dry rocky woodlands or in disturbed areas. It has become rare due to threats to its habitat and wildfire suppression.
The plant will grow 1 to 3 feet tall and wide in full sun in well-drained, slightly acidic or alkaline soils. Plant the crown at soil level and keep moist until established. Once established, it is drought-tolerant. Trim back to 50% of its height in mid-summer to promote business. The best way to propagate is by division of the rhizomes in early spring as the seeds of a colony of plants are usually self-sterile and need pollen from another colony to set fertile seeds..
The vibrant purple flowers appear in clusters in early to late fall and attract many bees and butterflies. The purple ray flowers surround a center of white disc flowers that become reddish-purple with age.
This plant may be used in groups or borders of cottage, native, pollinator or butterfly gardens and naturalized areas as meadows.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Deer will browse the plant.
- 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:
- Symphyotrichum
- Species:
- georgianum
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- SE USA
- Distribution:
- Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina
- Wildlife Value:
- 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.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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:
- Clay
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- 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
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Achenes are dry, seed-like, hairy and less than 1/8 inch long. Displays from November to December
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- Bracts
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 2-3 inch wide purplish to violet ray flowers surrounds the white to purplish disc flowers. The bracts are covered with tiny glands on tiny stalks called "stipitate glands". Blooms from October to November
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Soft
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Oblanceolate
- Oblong
- Obovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Oblong to lance-shaped green leaves up to 3 inches long by 3/4 inch wide have smooth to serrated margins. They clasp the stem and have tiny glands on tiny stalks called stipitate glands.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Cream/Tan
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Bud Terminal:
- Only 1 terminal bud, larger than side buds
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Flower stems are rough with hairs.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
