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Symphyotrichum lateriflorum ‘Lady in Black’ (Calico Aster)

Calico Aster 'Lady in Black', Aster lateriflorus 'Lady in Black'

Symphyotrichum lateriflorum 'Lady in Black',Calico Aster 'Lady in Black', Aster lateriflorus 'Lady in Black', Lavender Aster, White Aster, Pink Aster
Symphyotrichum lateriflorum 'Lady in Black',Calico Aster 'Lady in Black', Aster lateriflorus 'Lady in Black', Lavender Aster, White Aster, Pink Aster
Symphyotrichum lateriflorum 'Lady in Black',Calico Aster 'Lady in Black', Aster lateriflorus 'Lady in Black', Lavender Aster, White Aster, Pink Aster

Graceful, Symphyotrichum lateriflorum ‘Lady in Black’ (Calico Aster) is a bushy clump-forming perennial boasting a profusion of branching sprays covered with small white flowers in late summer and fall. Particularly attractive, the flowers feature a rosy-pink center disk surrounded by a ring of white rays. The stiff, deep purple stems are clothed with small, narrow, dark purple leaves that usually remain attractive throughout the season. A superb garden plant to be used in mixed borders or in front of fall-coloring shrubs and trees. This Aster is easy to grow, long-lived, brings cheerful fall color, and is a great source of nectar for butterflies.

  • Typically grows up to 3-4 ft. tall (90-120 cm) and 2-3 ft. wide (60-90 cm). May need some support.
  • Thrives in full sun or partial shade, in moderately fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Provide good air circulation to avoid foliage diseases such as powdery mildew.
  • A vital ingredient of late summer and fall borders, cottage gardens, prairies, or butterfly gardens.
  • Generally pest free. Keep an eye out for verticillium wilt, powdery mildew, and gray molds.
  • Cut back in late autumn.
  • Propagate by division in spring. Divide every 3-5 years.

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
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
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Compositae
Genus Aster
Common names Aster, Calico Aster
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Late)
Fall
Height 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 36" (90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Symphyotrichum leave ‘Bluebird’ (Smooth Aster)
Ampelaster carolinianus (Climbing Aster)
Doellingeria umbellata (Flat-Topped White Aster)
Aster novi-belgii (New York Aster)
Symphyotrichum chilense (Pacific Aster)
Symphyotrichum lanceolatum (White Panicle Aster)

Recommended Companion Plants

Verbena bonariensis (Tall Verbena)
Sedum ‘Matrona’ (Stonecrop)
Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Rosea’ (Mountain Fleece)
Rudbeckia fulgida var. deamii (Black-Eyed Susan)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Stunning Blue Flowers to Enhance Your Garden’s Beauty
How to Create an Enchanting Butterfly Garden
For the Love of Butterflies: Best Flowers to Attract them to Your Garden
6 Reasons You Should Create a Butterfly Garden
For the Love of Bees: Best Flowers to Attract them to Your Garden
How to Cultivate a Thriving Bee-Friendly Garden
September Birth Flower: What is my Birth Flower?
25 Types of Daisies You Should Grow
Aster novae-angliae (New England Aster)
Aster novi-belgii (New York Aster)
Aster amellus (Italian Aster)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
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
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Compositae
Genus Aster
Common names Aster, Calico Aster
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Late)
Fall
Height 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 36" (90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Aster
Guides with
Aster
Not sure which Aster to pick?
Compare Now

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