NEW! White Heath Aster
NEW FOR 2024!
White Heath Aster - Symphyotrichum ericoides - Perennial
The first time I saw this plant was at my dear mentor's ranch in Hillside, Colorado. I said, "Well hello, who are you?" I though it was awesome. It's kind of bushy, kind of tall, (1-3'), with densely clustered, miniature, daisy-like white (very rarely bluish pink), flowers. It has very tiny leaves which resemble the heath plant.
I found it to be showy and interesting and perfect for a wildflower patch. The seed has a naturally low germination rate but once you get it started, it is a long-lived perennial and you can take root cuttings to expand your stand.
It prefers dry soil and is found all over the country, mostly in dry prairies. It likes roadsides and disturbed areas. It attracts butterflies, is rich in nectar and is a host plant for the Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos), butterfly.
It blooms in late summer into fall. You can plant it in the fall into winter. It requires dry stratification if you do it yourself. Put the seed packet in an air-tight container in the fridge for 1-2 months before starting them in pots. You can also plant the seed in pots in the fall and leave them out all winter in a fairly dry place.