Add delicate beauty and critical late-season nectar to your garden with Calico Aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum), a hardy native perennial that blooms from late summer into fall. This adaptable aster is covered in clusters of small white flowers, each with a central disk that transitions from yellow to purple—creating a soft yet stunning display of color and texture.
As one of the last nectar sources of the season, Calico Aster plays an essential role in supporting butterflies, native bees, moths, and other pollinators when few other flowers remain. Its naturally branching, airy form makes it a graceful addition to wildflower gardens, woodland edges, and borders.
Key Features:
- Late-Season Blooms: Produces masses of dainty white flowers that provide nectar well into fall.
- Pollinator Powerhouse: A vital food source for butterflies, bees, and beneficial insects.
- Thrives in Sun to Part Shade: Adaptable to various light conditions, making it easy to grow in multiple settings.
- Low-Maintenance & Drought-Tolerant: Once established, requires little water and no synthetic chemicals.
- Deer-Resistant: Naturally unappealing to deer, reducing the risk of browsing.
- Pollinator-Safe: Grown non-GMO and free of harmful neonicotinoids, promoting a healthy ecosystem for pollinators and wildlife.
Available in sets of three, six, or 12 plants to suit gardens of any size.
Planting Tips:
- Location: Plant in full sun to part shade in moist, well-drained soil but is highly adaptable to various conditions.
- Watering: Water regularly during establishment; drought-tolerant once mature
- Maintenance: Minimal care required. There's no need to deadhead the flowers, as allowing them to go to seed provides a valuable food source for birds. Leaving the stems standing in the fall offers overwintering sites for beneficial insects. If desired, cut back the stems in late spring after pollinators have emerged.
For more information on planting, view our How to Plant Your Native Plants guide and other planting tips in the Garden for Wildlife Learning Center.
Enhance your garden with Calico Aster, a resilient and beautiful native plant that provides essential late-season nectar while returning year after year!