White Heath Aster, Heath Aster, Symphyotrichum ericoides
Attractive to butterflies, Aster ericoides (Heath Aster) is a compact and bushy perennial boasting numerous branched stems smothered by sprays of tiny star-like white flowers in late spring to mid-fall. These sprays are so densely packed with blooms that they turn the plant completely white due to the sheer quantity of the flowers. The floral display attracts many butterflies, moths, skippers, bees, flies, and beetles. The stems are clad with stiff, linear, needlelike green leaves, 3 in. long (7 cm), resembling those of heath shrubs. Though the foliage looks like it might be prickly from a distance, it is actually quite soft to the touch. Native to North America, this attractive perennial is easy to grow, low maintenance, mildew resistant and is not affected by any serious pests or diseases. Spreading by rhizomes to form colonies, Heath Aster makes a fine ground cover for sunny, dry, or rocky garden spots.
| Hardiness |
3 - 10 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
1 - 8 |
| Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Plant Family | Compositae |
| Genus | Aster |
| Common names | Michaelmas Daisy, Aster |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest | Summer (Late), Fall |
| Height | 1' - 3' (30cm - 90cm) |
| Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Spacing | 24" (60cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low, Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Showy |
| Native Plants | United States, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Maryland, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Pacific Northwest, Southeast, Rocky Mountains, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Nebraska, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Kansas, Indiana, South Dakota, Illinois, North Dakota, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, West Virginia, Tennessee, Virginia, Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Montana |
| Tolerance | Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil, Clay Soil |
| Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Ground Covers |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Gravel and Rock Garden, Coastal Garden |
| Hardiness |
3 - 10 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
1 - 8 |
| Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Plant Family | Compositae |
| Genus | Aster |
| Common names | Michaelmas Daisy, Aster |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest | Summer (Late), Fall |
| Height | 1' - 3' (30cm - 90cm) |
| Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Spacing | 24" (60cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low, Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Showy |
| Native Plants | United States, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Maryland, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Pacific Northwest, Southeast, Rocky Mountains, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Nebraska, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Kansas, Indiana, South Dakota, Illinois, North Dakota, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, West Virginia, Tennessee, Virginia, Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Montana |
| Tolerance | Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil, Clay Soil |
| Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Ground Covers |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Gravel and Rock Garden, Coastal Garden |
How many Aster ericoides (Heath Aster) do I need for my garden?
| Plant | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|
| Aster ericoides (Heath Aster) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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