Calico Aster
Symphyotrichum lateriflorum
Also listed as Aster hirsuticaulis, Aster lateriflorus
Also known as Starved Aster, Slender-stalked Calico Aster, Narrow-leaved Calico Aster
Climate Match for your location
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Calico aster is a native perennial that produces abundant small white flowers with pink or purple tinges in late summer and fall. Its delicate blooms and airy growth habit make it an excellent choice for cottage gardens and pollinator support.
Why grow it
Calico aster blooms later than many native asters, extending pollinator forage into fall when other sources diminish. Its modest height (2-3 feet) and open branching habit make it useful for layering in perennial borders without the density of taller aster species. The plant establishes readily from seed or division and tolerates partial shade better than some Symphyotrichum relatives, offering flexibility in site placement.
Watch out for
Self-seeding can be prolific in favorable conditions; deadheading spent flowers extends bloom but also manages unwanted seedlings. The species spreads via rhizomes and may gradually occupy more space than initially intended, particularly in moist soils. Powdery mildew can affect foliage in humid climates with poor air circulation, though this typically appears late enough not to significantly impact flowering.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Calico aster is a native perennial that produces abundant small white flowers with pink or purple tinges in late summer and fall. Its delicate blooms and airy growth habit make it an excellent choice for cottage gardens and pollinator support.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Calico Aster grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Calico aster blooms later than many native asters, extending pollinator forage into fall when other sources diminish. Its modest height (2-3 feet) and open branching habit make it useful for layering in perennial borders without the density of taller aster species. The plant establishes readily from seed or division and tolerates partial shade better than some Symphyotrichum relatives, offering flexibility in site placement.
Watch out for
Self-seeding can be prolific in favorable conditions; deadheading spent flowers extends bloom but also manages unwanted seedlings. The species spreads via rhizomes and may gradually occupy more space than initially intended, particularly in moist soils. Powdery mildew can affect foliage in humid climates with poor air circulation, though this typically appears late enough not to significantly impact flowering.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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