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Symphyotrichum retroflexum

Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Aster curtisii
  • Aster retroflexus
Phonetic Spelling
sim-fy-oh-TRY-kum reh-tro-FLEKS-um
Description

Rigid Whitetop Aster is a native wildflower found in the mountains of NC, GA, TN and SC. The late summer to fall blooms are lavender in color with a yellow center. It is found in woodlands and along roadsides in well-drained soils.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#fire medium flammability#NC native#NC Native Pollinator Plant#wildflower
 
Form
Form Lisa Kimmerling CC BY-NC 4.0
Leaves
Leaves Lisa Kimmerling CC BY-NC 4.0
Side view of flower
Side view of flower Lisa Kimmerling CC BY-NC 4.0
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#fire medium flammability#NC native#NC Native Pollinator Plant#wildflower
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Symphyotrichum
    Species:
    retroflexum
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    SE. U.S.A.
    Distribution:
    Mountains of GA, NC, SC, TN
    Fire Risk Rating:
    medium flammability
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
  • 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 Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    NC Region:
    Mountains
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Gold/Yellow
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    1-in. composite lavender flowers with a yellow center. Blooms Aug.-Oct.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    3-6 in. linear to elliptical leaves with serrulate or entire margins.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies