Rigid Whitetop 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 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:
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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
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- SE. U.S.A.
- Distribution:
- Mountains of GA, NC, SC, TN
- Fire Risk Rating:
- medium flammability
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
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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 Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- NC Region:
- Mountains
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
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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
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 1-in. composite lavender flowers with a yellow center. Blooms Aug.-Oct.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
