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Symphyotrichum shortii (Short's aster)
Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Symphyotrichum shortii (Lindl.) Nesom

Short's aster

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Synonyms: Aster shortii

USDA Symbol: sysh

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Blooming at the same time as Broadleaf Goldenrod (Solidago flexicalis), this woodland aster can suffuse a Southeastern forest or shady garden in a purple mist of blooms in the autumn. The centers of the flowers start out yellow but turn brick red after pollination. It will self-sow and spread throughout an area, but individual plants are short-lived. It attracts an array of pollinators and seed eaters.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Inflorescence: Head
Flower: Flower 1 inch across
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Purple
Bloom Time: Sep , Oct
Bloom Notes: Flower centers (disc flowers) open yellow but turn dark red after pollination.

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KY , MD , MI , MN , MS , NC , OH , PA , TN , VA , WI , WV
Canada: ON
Native Distribution: eastern US, Zones 6 to 8
Native Habitat: Savannah, Forest Edge, Prairie/Meadow/Field, in shaded or partially shaded spots
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: rich, acid sands and loams; tolerates lime

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Flowers add clouds of purple to the shady Southeastern woodland garden.
Use Wildlife: Flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Seeds attract cardinals, finches, grosbeaks, sparrows, thrashers, towhees, chickadees, nuthatches, titmice, and turkeys.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies , Hummingbirds
Nectar Source: yes

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Propagation

Propagation Material: Root Division , Seeds
Seed Collection: Matures in mid- to late fall.
Maintenance: Short-lived so allow to seed out where you want it to continue.
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

Bibref 996 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (1994) Wasowski, Sally and Andy Wasowski
Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, Sally
* The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Symphyotrichum shortii in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Symphyotrichum shortii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Symphyotrichum shortii

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-12-09
Research By: TWC Staff

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