This wildflower is found statewide in North Carolina although rarely in the mountains. It is most common in the woodlands of the piedmont and coastal plains. This plant was selected as the 1996 NC Wildflower of the Year , a program managed by the North Carolina Botanical Garden with some financial support from the Garden Club of North Carolina. More information on Symphyotrichum .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Ascending; Erect
Texture
Fine
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Linear
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Soft
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
These clasping linear leaves are not only alternate but also have smooth margins with hairs.
Flower color
Blue; Gray/Silver; Pink; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Radial; Saucer
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Blooms from September to October
Bloom time
Fall; Winter
Fruit color
Brown/Copper; Cream/Tan
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit size
1-3 inches long
Fruit detail
Displays from October to November
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Green
Stem detail
A bristled nutlet surrounds the seed.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Eastern United States
Wildlife value
Members of the genus Symphyotrichum support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) asteris, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) asteroides, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) hirticincta, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) nubecula, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) placata, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) simplex, and Colletes simulans.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Pollinators; Small Mammals; Songbirds