Hairy White Oldfield Aster
Symphyotrichum pilosum
Also listed as Aster pilosus
Also known as White Old-field Aster, Old-field Aster, Hairy Aster
Climate Match for your location
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A native wildflower with small white or pale purple flowers blooming in late summer and fall. It thrives in dry conditions and poor soils, making it ideal for naturalized gardens and meadows.
Why grow it
Hairy white oldfield aster offers reliable late-season bloom for native plant gardens and pollinator habitat in northeastern North America. Compared to related Symphyotrichum species, it tolerates exceptionally poor, compacted, and drought-prone soils, making it a practical choice where soil amendment is impractical. It requires minimal maintenance once established and spreads gradually through seed rather than aggressive runners, suiting both naturalized meadows and cultivated perennial borders.
Watch out for
This species self-seeds readily in favorable conditions, which some gardeners find invasive in smaller or carefully managed spaces. Powdery mildew can affect foliage in humid conditions or where air circulation is poor, though this rarely threatens plant survival. Flowering may be sparse in heavily shaded sites despite the plant's overall hardiness.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern and central 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
A native wildflower with small white or pale purple flowers blooming in late summer and fall. It thrives in dry conditions and poor soils, making it ideal for naturalized gardens and meadows.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Hairy White Oldfield Aster grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Hairy white oldfield aster offers reliable late-season bloom for native plant gardens and pollinator habitat in northeastern North America. Compared to related Symphyotrichum species, it tolerates exceptionally poor, compacted, and drought-prone soils, making it a practical choice where soil amendment is impractical. It requires minimal maintenance once established and spreads gradually through seed rather than aggressive runners, suiting both naturalized meadows and cultivated perennial borders.
Watch out for
This species self-seeds readily in favorable conditions, which some gardeners find invasive in smaller or carefully managed spaces. Powdery mildew can affect foliage in humid conditions or where air circulation is poor, though this rarely threatens plant survival. Flowering may be sparse in heavily shaded sites despite the plant's overall hardiness.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern and central 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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