Symphyotrichum grandiflorum
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Aster grandiflorus
- Lasallea grandiflora
- Virgulus grandiflorus
- Phonetic Spelling
- sim-fy-oh-TRY-kum gran-di-FLOR-um
- Description
-
Largeflower aster is a native perennial wildflower in the daisy family Asteraceae) native to the Atlantic coastal plain and Piedmont of North Carolina and South Carolina, and the coastal plain of Virginia. It grows in sandy areas, roadsides, thickets, forest edges and disturbed sites.
Largeflower aster grows 2 to 3 feet tall in full sun in sandy to loamy, moist to dry, well-drained soils. Propagation is by seed or division of the rhizomes.
The 1 to 2 inch deep purple flowers have many rays surrounding a reddish-purple center of disc flowers. They appear in September through November are one of the last asters to bloom. Awarded the 2026 NC Wildflower of the Year by the North Carolina Botanical Gardens.
Use this aster in the pollinator or native garden. It can also be used in naturalized areas as meadows. It will look great paired with goldenrods.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Watch for aphids, leafhoppers, spider mites and lace bugs. Potential diseases are asters yellow, powdery mildew and rust.
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Biscoe Belle'
Dense dark purple flowers
- 'Biscoe Belle'
- 'Biscoe Belle'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Biscoe Belle'
Dense dark purple flowers
- 'Biscoe Belle'
- 'Biscoe Belle'
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Symphyotrichum
- Species:
- grandiflorum
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern U.S.A., Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina
- Distribution:
- VA, NC, SC
- 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. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- 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:
- 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
- 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:
- Fruit is a tan-tufted achene
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- more than 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 1-inch-wide flowers appear in terminal clusters with 20-30 purple petals surrounding reddish-purple disc florets from Sepember- November
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rubbery
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Small green, lance-shaped to oblong or linear clasping leaves are 1/3 to 2.5 inches long. They become smaller as they ascend the stem.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Stiff hairy brown stems are densely glandular near and in the inflorescence,
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Songbirds
