Sapphire Aster Symphyotrichum novi-belgii
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Aster novi-belgii
- Phonetic Spelling
- sim-fy-oh-TRY-kum NO-vee BEL-gee-eye
- Description
-
New York Aster is a native herbaceous perennial in the Asteraceae family that may grow 3 to 5 feet high. It is found growing in slightly brackish and tidal fresh marshes, occasionally borders of salt marshes and inland marshes, shrub marshes, shores and other moist areas. This plant requires well-drained soil and prefers sandy, loamy and clay soils. It can grow on nutritionally poor soil, in semi-shade or no shade but prefers a sunny location. Our NC native representatives of this species are classified as Symphyotrichum novi-belgii var. elodes.
Its low growing habit and fall bloom works well as an edging plant in the front of borders, or in rock gardens or butterfly gardens. It works well with or a substitute for chrysanthemums.
Quick ID Hints:
- Numerous heads of purplish flowers
- Ray flowers conspicuous, violaceous; disc yellow
- Leaves narrow, auriculate clasping
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems but has some susceptibility to powdery mildew.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Coombe Violet'
Violet semi-double flowers - 'Fellowship'
Pale pink double flowers - 'Peter Harrison'
Dwarf with pink flowers - 'Royal Ruby'
Rich mulberry red flowers
- 'Coombe Violet'
- 'Coombe Violet', 'Fellowship', 'Peter Harrison', 'Royal Ruby'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Coombe Violet'
Violet semi-double flowers - 'Fellowship'
Pale pink double flowers - 'Peter Harrison'
Dwarf with pink flowers - 'Royal Ruby'
Rich mulberry red flowers
- 'Coombe Violet'
- 'Coombe Violet', 'Fellowship', 'Peter Harrison', 'Royal Ruby'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Symphyotrichum
- Species:
- novi-belgii
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- E. Canada to NE. U.S.A.
- Distribution:
- New York aster ranges from Newfoundland and Nova Scotia south to Georgia to Alabama, chiefly near the coast
- Fire Risk Rating:
- medium flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Host plant for the Pearl Crescent butterfly. Flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies. Songbirds and small mammals eat the seeds. 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:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Moderate deer resistance.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Cascading
- Erect
- 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:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
-
-
Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- This wildflower produces a dry seed (achene) that matures in late fall. with a tuft of hairs (pappus)
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- more than 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Numerous purple to pink ray flowers surrounds a yellow-orange center of disc flowers that mature in late summer to early fall. They are produced in terminal heads and are up to 2 inches across. Bracts overlap at base of the flower
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Auriculate
- Lanceolate
- Oblanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The simple leaves are alternate with a smooth margin, sessile and clasping to the stem. The shape is lanceolate to oblanceolate with an acute tip, auriculate to subcordate base, and hispidulous (short stiff hairs) above to soft-pubescent below. 4-6 inches long by 1-1.5 inches wide
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Reddish stem with fine hairs
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Diseases
- Insect Pests
