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Calico Aster Symphyotrichum lateriflorum

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Calico Aster:

Phonetic Spelling
sim-fy-oh-TRY-kum la-ter-uh-FLOR-um
Description

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:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#rain garden#fall flowers#white flowers#native perennial#feathery leaves#nectar plant#piedmont#native bees#fall interest#specialized bees#highly beneficial coastal plants#NC native#summer flowers#daisy-like#native garden#pollinator plant#food source fall#nectar plant fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FACW#food source hard mast fruit#bee friendly#Audubon#wildlife friendly#woodland#hs303
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#rain garden#fall flowers#white flowers#native perennial#feathery leaves#nectar plant#piedmont#native bees#fall interest#specialized bees#highly beneficial coastal plants#NC native#summer flowers#daisy-like#native garden#pollinator plant#food source fall#nectar plant fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FACW#food source hard mast fruit#bee friendly#Audubon#wildlife friendly#woodland#hs303
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Spreading
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Pink
    White
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Description:
    Displays from October to November.
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Riparian
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Screen/Privacy
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Specialized Bees