![]() ![]() Due to its growth habit, the plant may require some support. Observe for verticillium wilt, powdery mildew, and gray molds. There are no serious insect or disease problems. ![]() Insects, Disease, and Other Plant Problems: The flowers attract butterflies and would be a perfect addition to a partially shaded cottage or pollinator garden. The Calico Aster is a low-maintenance perennial. Dry weather will cause the leaves to wither and cause plant stress. They are tolerant of occasional flooding. The Calico Aster prefers light shade and moist conditions in rich loamy or clay soils. The plant is native to central and eastern North America from Canada to Mexico. It is a member of the Asteraceae or Aster Family. It grows about 2-3 feet tall and has small showy white flowers that bloom in late summer and fall. The Calico Aster is a bushy herbaceous perennial that is typically found in moist meadows, woodlands, and near rivers, and swamps. Pair attractive cultivars with other late-blooming perennials such as sedum, heliopsis, helianthus, butterfly bush and ornamental and native grasses such as little bluestem, big bluestem and prairie dropseed.Phonetic Spelling ASS-ter lat-er-ih-FLOOR-us Description The native species work well in naturalized or native gardens. Asters also provide nectar for migrating monarch butterflies.Īsters can be massed together for a show-stopping display in September. Silvery Checkerspot butterflies lay their eggs on Aromatic Aster ( Symphyotrichum oblongifolium), and Pearl Crescent butterflies lay eggs on Big-Leaved Aster ( Eurybia macrophylla), both native Illinois asters. The plant serves as a host for several species of moths. Some of the pollinators and nectar-seekers visiting aster flowers include long- and short-tongued bees, honeybees, bumblebees, bee flies and butterflies. Rabbits may browse the plants.Īsters provide nectar, pollen and foliage for several native insects. Chrysanthemum lace bug is a new pest that sucks nutrients from aster foliage, leaving it mottled and sickly. ![]() They are also prone to rosy blister gall, aphids, mites, slugs and nematodes. Dividing plants every two to three years in spring will help keep them healthy and corral aggressive plants that spread by rhizomes.Īsters may be affected by verticillium wilt (a fungus in the soil), gray mold, powdery mildew, rusts, white smut, aster yellows, and many fungal leaf spots and stem cankers. To avoid an over abundance of asters next year, remove the seed heads before they fall to the ground unless you wish to leave a few stems standing for the birds. Pinching back the stems (removing a few inches of the top growth) before mid-July promotes bushiness and eliminates the need for staking taller species. macrophylla) tolerate deep shade but produce the best flower display with some morning sun. drummondii), white wood aster ( Eurybia divaricata), and bigleaf aster ( E. According to the Garden’s plant evaluation, woodland asters, such as blue wood aster ( Symphyotrichum cordifolium), Drummond’s aster ( S. It’s taking time for gardeners and the green industry to adjust to the generic name changes.Īsters are easily grown in average, dry to moist, well-drained and moderately fertile soils in full sun to part shade. Calico aster, a Chicago-area native, formerly known as Aster lateriflorus is now Symphyotrichum lateriflorum. For example, the native New England aster, formerly called Aster novae-angliae is now Symphyotrichum novae-angliae, a mouthful to be sure. In the 1990s, taxonomists reclassified the names based on new DNA research. Asters are in the daisy ( Asteraceae) family. The Latin genus name has changed from Aster to tongue twisters such as Doellengeria, Eurybia, and Symphyotrichum-baffling gardeners and professionals alike. The word aster comes from the Greek word for star-a nod to the flower’s shape, which has disk and ray florets. Visit the Garden's Dixon Tallgrass Prairie in autumn to view thousands of New England asters in bloom. Learn more about the Garden’s aster evaluation. ![]()
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