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Central Plains Gardening
Calico Aster Is a Shade-Loving Pollinator Nirvana
Plant Symphyotrichum lateriflorum, an eastern U.S. native, in summer for fall blooms that scores of wildlife species will love
Calico aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum) is an incredible plant that supports a lot of wildlife and adds a unique design element to native-plant landscapes. This fall-flowering perennial is one among many that can be planted before summer heats up.
It’s very important to have as many fall-flowering plants as possible, because that is when insects are at their greatest numbers. Some are getting ready to overwinter, others are migrating, and still others, like many native bee species, have just emerged and are busy storing pollen in brood cells for larvae that will overwinter and emerge the following summer and fall.
It’s very important to have as many fall-flowering plants as possible, because that is when insects are at their greatest numbers. Some are getting ready to overwinter, others are migrating, and still others, like many native bee species, have just emerged and are busy storing pollen in brood cells for larvae that will overwinter and emerge the following summer and fall.
Photo by Andrey Zharkikh
Distinguishing traits. The centers of calico aster’s small flowers transform from yellow to plum or pink, contributing to its common name. While in bloom it attracts a wide diversity and very high number of pollinating insects, including bees, flies, wasps, moths, butterflies and beetles.
This perennial is a critical food source for early-fall insects. In fact, it is known to support more than a hundred species of adult insects. Several moth species use it as a host plant, as do silvery checkerspot and pearl crescent butterflies.
How to use it. Depending on the site conditions, calico aster can easily reach 3 feet tall and wide. Given its airy form and loose, sporadic branching habit, it’s a great cloud-like filler among denser plants. Plant it near something like zigzag goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis) or blue mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum). Grasses, like switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), and sedges, such as Sprengel’s (Carex sprengelii) and shortbeak (C. brevior), also make good companions. It’s cool to see calico aster rising above shortgrass and sedges, like prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) and the aforementioned shortbeak sedge. In open soil it may gently self-sow, but it never becomes a bother.
Distinguishing traits. The centers of calico aster’s small flowers transform from yellow to plum or pink, contributing to its common name. While in bloom it attracts a wide diversity and very high number of pollinating insects, including bees, flies, wasps, moths, butterflies and beetles.
This perennial is a critical food source for early-fall insects. In fact, it is known to support more than a hundred species of adult insects. Several moth species use it as a host plant, as do silvery checkerspot and pearl crescent butterflies.
How to use it. Depending on the site conditions, calico aster can easily reach 3 feet tall and wide. Given its airy form and loose, sporadic branching habit, it’s a great cloud-like filler among denser plants. Plant it near something like zigzag goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis) or blue mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum). Grasses, like switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), and sedges, such as Sprengel’s (Carex sprengelii) and shortbeak (C. brevior), also make good companions. It’s cool to see calico aster rising above shortgrass and sedges, like prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) and the aforementioned shortbeak sedge. In open soil it may gently self-sow, but it never becomes a bother.
Photo by Melissa McMasters
Planting notes. If you want to plant it in full sun, then moist, not mucky, loam, clay or clay-loam soil is best. It thrives in dry clay soil in mostly shade to full shade, though, like most asters, it may get leggy as the lower leaves succumb to drier conditions.
Since it can get leggy, it’s ideal to place it among lower grasses, sedges or flowering plants that can hide those bare legs. All in all, calico aster is an adaptable native with a wide range across the middle and eastern United States and, as mentioned, it is a critical supporter of early-fall pollinators.
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Planting notes. If you want to plant it in full sun, then moist, not mucky, loam, clay or clay-loam soil is best. It thrives in dry clay soil in mostly shade to full shade, though, like most asters, it may get leggy as the lower leaves succumb to drier conditions.
Since it can get leggy, it’s ideal to place it among lower grasses, sedges or flowering plants that can hide those bare legs. All in all, calico aster is an adaptable native with a wide range across the middle and eastern United States and, as mentioned, it is a critical supporter of early-fall pollinators.
More
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Browse plants native to other regions of the U.S.
Common names: Calico aster, side-flowering aster
Origin: Native from Minnesota to eastern Texas and all points east
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 40 degrees Celsius (USDA zones 3 to 9; find your zone)
Water requirement: Medium; prefers slightly moist to slightly dry soil
Light requirement: Full sun (in moist soil) to full shade (in medium to dry soil)
Mature size: 2 to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide
Benefits and tolerances: Drought-tolerant once established in loamy to clay soils
Seasonal interest: Blooms in early to mid fall with white flowers
When to plant: Plant potted or bare-root plants in midspring to late fall; sow seeds in late fall through midwinter