An adorable little aster with showy ray flowers that range from white to pale blue and purple with yellow to bronze centers in August-October, becoming cute tufts of wind-distributed seeds as the flowers fade. Leaves are very slender, almost needle-like, although not sharp, appearing in many cases to whorl around the upright stems, creating a very attractive effect, especially in the fall when they tend to turn a showy bronze or yellow. Tolerates drought, pollution, dry conditions, and poor, rocky, shallow, sandy, or compacted soil. Flowers support an especially wide variety of pollinators, including many types of butterfly and native bee, and the seeds may act as a food source for native birds, including wild turkey and grouses. Excellent for garden borders, dry locations, pollinator gardens, and can be grown in rock gardens. A particularly small (and short!) species of aster that tends to form discrete, dense little clumps, making it a good choice for garden locations. A wonderful late-season source of nectar for pollinators in both gardens and unfavorable growing conditions!
1-2.5 foot tall
Plant Hardiness Zones:
3b-9a
Perennial
Native Range: ME south to FL, west to TX, and north to WI. Native to Canada in QC. Rare in DE, TX, KS, and IA.
Germination - Easy: Cold stratify 8 weeks
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