Oldfield Aster Symphyotrichum pilosum
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- sim-fy-oh-TRY-kum pil-OH-sum
- Description
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Frost Aster is a herbaceous perennial that may grow 4 to 5 feet tall. It is weedy in most of the eastern U.S. The leaves are alternate with a smooth margin. Both the stem and leaves are covered with fine hairs. The roots are fibrous and form a woody crown. Small, white flowers with a yellow center first mature in late summer and persist into late fall. The herb produces a dry seed (achene) that matures in late fall. Grows well in dry conditions and in rocky or sandy soils.
Seasons of Interest:
Blooms: Late Summer/Fall; Fruit/Seed/Nut: Winter
- 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:
- Symphyotrichum
- Species:
- pilosum
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North America
- 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):
- Moderately deer resistant.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herb
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Weed
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 3 feet-6 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:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Dry seed (achene) that matures in late fall.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small, white daisy-like flowers 1/2"-3/4" wide cover the top of the plant on the end of stems. Blooms appear late August through fall. Yellow disk flowers are surrounded by 16-25 white ray flowers.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Velvety
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate with a smooth margin green above gray below, hairy on the edges and petioles.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Erect, many branches, smooth or with long soft hairs
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Dry Soil
- Problems:
- Weedy
