Crooked Aster, Crookedstem Aster, Crooked-stem Aster, Zig-zag Aster, Aster prenanthoides
Creating showy mounds of blooms in summer, Symphyotrichum prenanthoides (Crooked Aster) is a herbaceous perennial with rigid stems that are much-branched from the base. They are adorned by clusters of tiny star-like very pale lavender to light blue-violet flowers, 1 in. across (2.5 cm), in late summer and fall. Rising from the stem tops and upper leaf axils, each blossom features 20-35 white rays surrounding a center disc packed with pale yellow disc flowers. The disk flowers change from yellow to reddish with age. The flowers are followed by flat, brown, hairy achenes (dry fruits). The stems often zig-zag between the leaf nodes, hence the common names. The oval-lance-shaped leaves, 2-8 in. long (5-20 cm), clasp the stems. Native to riparian and forest edge habitats from Ontario south to North Carolina and Tennessee, Hairy Aster grows in moist, loamy soils, in full sun to partial shade. It is an important nectar and pollen source for many insects in the fall and can also be used for wildlife habitat restoration. Crooked Aster is attractive to bees, small to medium-sized butterflies, and skippers. Many kinds of insects feed on the foliage, including the caterpillars of the butterfly Chlosyne nycteis (Silvery Checkerspot) and many moth species. Wild Turkey, game birds, and small mammals occasionally eat the seeds and foliage of asters. An excellent plant for native landscape gardens.
Hardiness |
4 - 7 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Compositae |
Genus | Aster |
Common names | Aster |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Summer (Late), Fall |
Height | 1' - 4' (30cm - 120cm) |
Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Spacing | 24" (60cm) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Loam |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland, New York, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Midwest, Southeast, Northeast, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina |
Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
Garden Styles | Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage |
Hardiness |
4 - 7 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Compositae |
Genus | Aster |
Common names | Aster |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Summer (Late), Fall |
Height | 1' - 4' (30cm - 120cm) |
Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Spacing | 24" (60cm) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Loam |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland, New York, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Midwest, Southeast, Northeast, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina |
Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
Garden Styles | Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage |
How many Symphyotrichum prenanthoides (Crooked Aster) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Symphyotrichum prenanthoides (Crooked Aster) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!
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.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!