Aster Symphyotrichum lateriflorum
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Aster:
- Phonetic Spelling
- sim-fy-oh-TRY-kum la-ter-uh-FLOR-um
- Description
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Flowering species in the daisy or Asteraceae family. Native to the eastern half of North America, it can be found growing in the mountains, piedmont, and coastal plains of North Carolina. Stems are light green to redish brown and have lines of fine white hairs. Leaves are alternate 4" long and 1/2' wide and may have white hairs on the undersides of major veins. Upper side of leaves are medium green and lower are light green. They are narrowly lanceolate, oblanceolate, or elliptic, becoming linear near the flowerheads with a few teeth toward the tips of the larger leaves, otherwise they have smooth margins. Panicles of daisy-like white or pale lavender flowers, each with yellow center flowerheads, reach 10" long and 6" across.
This delicate and attractive flower grows best in alkaline soil whether it be in the mountains, piedmont or coastal areas.
- 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:
- Symphyotricum
- Species:
- lateriflorum
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Canada to Mexico
- 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.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Spreading
- 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
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>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:
- 4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8b, 8a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Pink
- White
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Displays from October to November.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Panicles of daisy-like white or pale lavender flowers, each with yellow center flowerheads, reach 10" long and 6" across. Blooms from September to November
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Oblanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate 4" long and 1/2' wide and may have white hairs on the undersides of major veins. Upper side of leaves are medium green and lower are light green. They are narrowly lanceolate, oblanceolate, or elliptic, becoming linear near the flowerheads with a few teeth toward the tips of the larger leaves; otherwise, they have smooth margins.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Stems are light green to redish brown and have lines of fine white hairs.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Riparian
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
