![]() ![]() It can seemingly grow anywhere there is disturbed or bare soil similar to dandelions – vacant lots, sidewalk cracks, even in the cracks of a bridge! Frost Aster Reference Table Scientific Nameįrost Aster, Oldfield Aster, Hairy White Oldfield Aster, Awl Aster, Hairy Aster,Įastern North America, USDA Hardiness Zones 4-8 It is a highly adaptable and aggressive native plant that is common throughout Eastern North America. That natural habitat of Frost Aster is dry to medium-moist sites in full sun to partial shade such as the forest edge, meadows, prairies, or open woodlands. It’s range is basically everything east of an imaginary line from Texas to South Dakota & Ontario. The native range of Frost Aster is Eastern North America, east of the Rocky Mountains. If you are unsure of whether you wish to plant it, well I have good news – it may just find you (as it did me)! Native Range of Frost Aster In this manner it is not always a great choice for formal flowerbeds, but can be a great addition to wildflower meadows or perennial borders to add some late-season blooms. Young tender foliage is also browsed by deer and rabbits, further increasing it’s value to wildlife.įrost Aster readily pops up in vacant lots, fields, ditches, or anywhere there is bare soil via aggressive self-seeding. Additionally it will host several butterflies and moths, while the seeds are eaten by mice, Grouse, Turkey, and Sparrows. In this way it quite important to local wildlife as it is an excellent nectar and pollen source for dozens of species of bees, butterflies, wasps, flies, and other pollinators. Of the ‘white’ asters, Frost Aster is probably one of the showiest in that it will produce numerous small white daisy-like flowers that can really give a garden a splash of white in Autumn. Further complicating their identification is that their blooming periods and habitats all overlap! ( Jump to Identification) A panicle of flowerheads on Frost Aster, with Aromatic Aster in the background All of these aforementioned species look similar at a glance in that they bloom small white daisy-like flowers. The many common names can add even more confusion, as several of them are shared by multiple species of White Aster such as ‘Heath Aster’ ( Symphyotrichum ericoides), ‘Calico Aster’ ( Symphyotrichum lateriflorum), and Panicled Aster ( Symphyotrichum lanceolatum). The scientific / Latin name of Frost Aster is Symphyotrichum pilosum, which is important to remember as this plant goes by many common names. But you can know where this plant after the growing season as it will have a set of basal leaves that will persist all winter long. ![]() A herbaceous perennial, it will die back to ground at Winter only to reemerge in Spring. What Wildlife, Pests, and Diseases effect Frost Asterįrost Aster is one of the later blooming Fall Flowers that graces Eastern North America.What are the pros & cons of Frost Aster.Blooming numerous small white daisy-like flowers for six weeks in Autumn, it attracts bees & butterflies. Scientifically known as Symphyotrichum pilosum, it grows up to 3′ tall in full sun and well-draining soil. New England aster tends to loose its lower leaves as bloom time approaches so plant it with shorter plants such as black-eyed Susan, other asters and ferns.Frost Aster is a common Fall flower to grace seemingly every roadside ditch or any piece of unattended ground in Eastern North America. New England Aster is a larval source for the Pearl Crescent Butterfly. These plants are also great sources of food for humming birds and butterflies. In fact a pretty fall bouquet is goldenrod, red cardinal flower and New England aster, providing the flowers all come from your garden. It is an excellent companion to goldenrod, red cardinal flower and white turtlehead. New England aster is easily propagated from seed. The plant grows to about 3 to 4 feet but you can control the height by cutting it back in June. Use it at the back of a border or in the center of a bed garden. New England aster likes sun but also thrives in filtered shade. New England aster is drought tolerant but also naturally grows in wet meadows. In the early spring when they are blooming New England aster is just peeking out of the ground. ![]() The early flowering plants such as trillium and Virginia Bluebells grow right along side it. After the spring ephemerals have gone dormant New England Aster does its thing. I use it in a woodland setting in a filtered shaded area to over plant a woodland bed. ![]() Long neglected for use in American gardens, Europeans have used it for many years. New England aster is a must for the sunny border. ![]()
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