Plant This!
Asters
Native North American Asters
The common name "Aster" is used to describe hundreds of different plants from Asia, North America, and Europe. And it used to be that North American Asters were lumped in with all of the others as being relatives. But, like any good soap opera, genetic testing has told a very different story. They might look like Asters, and they are still in the Asteraceae family, but now the North American plants are almost all classified in the genus Symphyotrichum. And the only reason I even bring this up is that when you are looking for an Aster for your garden that will thrive year after year and support native pollinators, you really want to look at that Latin name – the pedigree, if you will. You want a Symphyotrichum.
When you look at a plant label, it should have several pieces of information. Two of the most important are the common name – something like Purple Dome New England Aster – and the Latin name Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Purple Dome' . The common name is the name we all know, but the Latin name gets specific about the genus, species, and variety of the plant. Remember King Philip Came Over For a Good Supper – Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species – yeah, that one!
When you ask for Asters at the garden center, they may be mixed in with Asian Aster varieties or even sold as "hardy mums" in the fall. That's why that Latin name is so important. You want to get the right Aster! Not all North American native Asters are in the genus Symphyotrichum, but if you have to make a quick decision on the fly, that’s the genus to look for.
But why do we need Asters?
Asters are some of the last flowers to bloom in the late summer and fall (September to November) providing a nectar-rich meal for native bees before hibernation and for migrating butterflies. They are a critical food source, and scientists have identified at least 115 different insect species who depend on Asters for at least one part of their lifecycle. Remember: without insects – and the right types of insects – we don't have pollination nor do we have birds. They are critical to our ecological health. Every garden should include at least three species – unrolling a late fall buffet before Jack Frost arrives.
Asters are, in general, easy to grow. They thrive in full sun. And they can be fairly drought-tolerant, too. With more than 100 species native to North America, it's pretty easy to find an Aster or three that will work well in your garden.
Since they are a keystone plant for North America – meaning Asters as a group of plants are critical to the life cycles of native insects, especially pollinators – they are a keystone of my Wildlife Garden where I currently have two types growing: Purple Dome New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Purple Dome') and Professor Kippenberg New York Aster (Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Professor Kippenberg'). Both are purple, but astors come in colors from whites to blues to pinks to brilliant purples – often with yellow centers.
I also have what I suspect is a Douglas Aster (Symphyotrichum subspicatum), but I am not positive. Its lavender flowers have a pretty yellow center. It's very tall and blooms and blooms all summer long making it a bee magnet. I had to transplant it last year, so I am hoping it will come up and flourish this year. Some Asters transplant easily, and others are a little fussier.
There is an Aster for almost any gardening condition: sun, shade, dry, damp, windy, sheltered. And the more types of Asters you have, the more diverse species of wildlife your garden will support. Asters are prone to very few problems, too. The insects they host are the ones we want to keep around, and they are disease-resistant for the most part.
So consider adding some Asters to your garden this year – and do a little legwork to make sure they are actually native North American Asters so they are as helpful as possible for the wildlife around. Afterall, we all like a full belly when we are settling down to hibernate or off on a long migration.
Where to Find Native North American Asters
It's always good to find the Asters that work well and are native to your area. Here are some resources to help you:
Wildflower.org: the Lady Bird Johnson Center in Austin, Texas has an incredible database of native North American plants which is easy to search and filter for your part of the continent and growing conditions
Chicago Botanic Gardens: conducted a trial of Asters in "typical" garden conditions in the Midwest and have several plants to recommend.
Missouri Department of Conservation: has a great list of the 24 native species in Missouri.
Dyck Arboretum of the Plains: Scott Vogt has a wonderful list of Asters and other keystone plants for Kansas.
Minnesota Horticultural Society: also has a good list for those of you in the upper Midwest
Common Native North American Asters
Aster and Coneflower seedheads in the fall add both color and texture to the garden.
And here are a few of the most common North American Asters found in garden centers:
Aromatic Aster | Symphyotrichum oblongifolium
Arctic Aster | Eurybia sibirica
Bigelow’s Aster | Machaeranthera bigelovii
Blue Wood Aster | Symphyotrichum cordifolium
Georgia Aster | Symphyotrichum georgianum
New England Aster | Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
Pacific Aster | Symphyotrichum chilense
Smooth Blue Aster | Symphyotrichum laeve
Skyblue Aster | Symphyotrichum oolentangiense
Western Aster | Symphyotrichum ascendens
White Wood Aster | Eurybia divaricata
FAQs
North American Asters
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North American asters are a group of perennial wildflowers native to North America, known for their vibrant, daisy-like flowers that bloom in late summer to fall. They come in various species and colors, with common types including Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (New England aster) and Symphyotrichum oblongifolium (sky blue aster).
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Asters thrive in full sun to partial shade and prefer well-drained soil. There are even some shade varieties! Most are drought-tolerant once established but benefit from consistent moisture during the growing season.
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Regularly water asters during dry spells but avoid overwatering, as most varieties don’t like soggy soil. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms. Mulching around the base can help retain moisture and prevent weeds.
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Yes, asters can be grown from seeds, though it may take a few years to see blooms. Start seeds indoors in early spring or sow them directly outside in fall for cold stratification. Be patient, as asters take time to establish from seed, but the reward is worth it.
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Absolutely! Asters are highly attractive to pollinators, especially bees and butterflies. Planting asters in your garden provides valuable nectar during the late summer and fall, helping to support local pollinator populations.
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Yes, asters can be grown in containers as long as the pot is large enough to accommodate the plant’s root system and provides adequate drainage. Make sure the container receives plenty of sunlight and is kept moist, especially during hot weather.
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North American Asters are hardy perennials — as long as you choose varieties appropriate to your zone and location. To support them through the winter, apply a layer of mulch around the base to protect the roots from extreme cold. If they are in pots, move them to an unheated garage or against a south-facing exterior wall for protection.