Spreading Aster Symphyotrichum patens
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- sim-fy-oh-TRY-kum PAT-ens
- Description
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Spreading aster is a native herbaceous perennial in the Asteraceae (daisy) family. It is found in rocky or sandy open woods and thickets.
It has graceful arching stems that reach 2 to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Showy, fragrant blue-purple blooms appear in August and last through October, blooming after most asters are finished and providing late season nectar to pollinators.
While it prefers full sun, it does tolerate some shade. Plant in medium to dry well-drained sandy soil.
Use it in the front of a border along a woodland edge, or mass plant in a cottage, or rock garden. Nectar from the flowers attract butterflies and bees making it an excellent addition to a pollinator garden. Its high drought and salt tolerance make spreading aster welcome in any coastal garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Asters can have some susceptibility to powdery mildew and aster wilt. Poorly-drained clay soils and poor air circulation can contribute to this. Improving drainage and good air circulation helps reduce the incidence of foliar diseases.
VIDEO: Part of the Native Plant Picks series from the North Carolina Sea Grant led Coastal Landscapes Initiative.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Symphyotrichum
- Species:
- patens
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeast USA
- Wildlife Value:
- Nectar attracts butterflies. 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: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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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
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Very 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
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Purple/Lavender
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Purplish brown ribbed achene somewhat hairy
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- more than 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Blue to violet oblong-ovate rays with disk yellow centers on solitary heads or terminal clusters.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Black
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Dentate
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Simple, alternatate, lanceolate to oblong, entire to slightly toothed or wavy, hairy. Veins visible on the undersurface. Leaf base is attached to the stem without having a stalk or peduncle (sessile).
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Erect, or ascending covered in short curved hairs, they are britle and break easily.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Dry Soil
- Salt
