Curtis Aster Symphyotrichum retroflexum
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Aster curtisii
- Aster retroflexus
- Phonetic Spelling
- sim-fy-oh-TRY-kum reh-tro-FLEKS-um
- Description
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Rigid whitetop aster is a native wildflower in the aster family (Asteraceae) found in moderate to high elevations in the mountains of NC, GA, TN and SC in woodlands, meadow and along shady roadsides.
It grows in partial shade in moist, well-drained, fertile soil up to 4 feet tall. Propagation is by seed.
The lavender to purple rays surround disc flowers that start whitish to cream and darken to pink or purplish. Bloom time is August to October.
Use this wildflower in the woodland or pollinator garden or naturalized areas in the mountains orwestern Piedmont of North Carolina.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Watch for the aster leafhopper, which carries aster yellows and scale insects. Disease can include aster yellows, powdery mildew and rust.
- 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:
- retroflexum
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- SE. U.S.A.
- Distribution:
- Mountains of GA, NC, SC, TN
- Fire Risk Rating:
- medium flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Pollinators are attracted to the flowers.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Fruits have a whitish to reddish pappus.
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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
- more than 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 1-in. composite lavender flowers with a yellow center. Blooms Aug.-Oct. 13 to 30 purplish rays surround cream colored disc flowers that become pinkish.
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Leaves:
- 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 Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- 3-6 in. linear to elliptical leaves with serrulate or entire margins.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
