Symphyotrichum prenanthoides (Crooked Aster)

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.

• Grows up to 1-4 ft. tall (30-120 cm) and 1-2 ft. wide (30-60 cm). Crooked Aster may form colonies from creeping rhizomes.
• Thrives in full sun or part shade in medium to moist, well-drained soils.
• A vital ingredient of late summer and fall borders, cottage gardens, prairies, or butterfly gardens.
• Keep an eye out for leaf spots, rust, powdery mildew, and rot.
• Prune back by no more than half in summer if your plant becomes too top-heavy and opens up. After it goes dormant in late fall or early winter cut it back to the round level ring of leaves at the plant base.
• Propagate by seed. Seeds can be collected from wild plants in the fall. The seed will germinate in 10 to 15 days.
• Native to Eastern North America.