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Symphyotrichum pilosum (Hairy Aster)

Awl Aster, Hairy White Oldfield Aster, Frost Aster, White Heath Aster, Downy Aster, Aster pilosus

Symphyotrichum pilosum, Hairy White Oldfield Aster, Aster pilosus, Fall perennials, Fall Flowers, White Asters
Symphyotrichum pilosum, Hairy White Oldfield Aster, Aster pilosus, Fall perennials, Fall Flowers, White Asters
Symphyotrichum pilosum, Hairy White Oldfield Aster, Aster pilosus, Fall perennials, Fall Flowers, White Asters

Providing a good display in the late season garden, Symphyotrichum pilosum (Hairy Aster) is a robust herbaceous perennial boasting numerous branched stems smothered by sprays of tiny star-like white flowers in late summer and fall. Rising from the stem tops and upper leaf axils, each blossom features 15-35 white rays surrounding a center disc packed with pale yellow disc flowers. The disk flowers change from yellow to reddish with age. Blooming for 4-6 weeks, the flowers are followed by a dry seed (achene) that matures in late fall and is distributed to new locations by wind. The stems are clad with alternate, lance-shaped leaves, 1-4 in. long (2-10 cm), with a smooth margin. Green above and gray below, they significantly decrease in size as they ascend the stems. After flowering, basal leaf rosettes appear and persist over winter. Both the stem and leaves are covered with fine hairs. Native to upland prairies, weedy meadows, pastures, open woodlands of North America, Hairy Aster is easy to grow, low maintenance and is not affected by any serious pests or diseases. It is, however weedy in most of the eastern U.S. and may not be suitable for small gardens due to its tendency to readily spread by seed. Hairy Aster grows well in dry conditions and in rocky or sandy soils. It is an important nectar and pollen source for many insects in the fall.

  • Grows with a bushy habit, up to 2-4 ft. tall and wide (60-120 cm). Can spread aggressively by self-seeding.
  • Thrives in full sun in sandy or rocky, dry to mesic, well-drained soils. Appreciates some afternoon shade in hot summer areas. 
  • Vital ingredient of late summer and fall borders, cottage gardens, prairies or butterfly gardens.
  • No serious pest or disease issues.
  • Removal and disposal of seeds before maturity lessens the degree of spreading.
  • Pinch stems back in late spring to early summer to control the plant size.
  • Propagate by seed.
  • Native to North America.

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Compositae
Genus Aster
Common names Frost Aster, Aster
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Late)
Fall
Height 2' - 4'
(60cm - 120cm)
Spread 2' - 4'
(60cm - 120cm)
Spacing 36" - 48"
(90cm - 120cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Midwest, Missouri, Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan, Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, Southeast, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Southwest, Texas, Oklahoma
Tolerance Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
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Alternative Plants to Consider

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

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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
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Compositae
Genus Aster
Common names Frost Aster, Aster
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Late)
Fall
Height 2' - 4'
(60cm - 120cm)
Spread 2' - 4'
(60cm - 120cm)
Spacing 36" - 48"
(90cm - 120cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Midwest, Missouri, Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan, Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, Southeast, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Southwest, Texas, Oklahoma
Tolerance Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles 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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