Symphyotrichum concolor (L.) G.L. Nesom

Eastern Silvery Aster

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Eastern Silvery Aster is a native herbaceous perennial in the Sunflower family (Asteraceae). It occurs throughout Alabama in fire maintained communities such as Longleaf pine woodlands, dry mixed pine/hardwood forests, and sandhills. It is one of the latest flowering of the native Asters, blooming from September through January. Eastern Silvery Aster is perennial from a woody rhizome. Several upright flowering stems are usually produced from each rootstock. The stems are slender and up to three feet in height. The wand-like stems have small entire leaves covered in fine silky white hairs. The leaves are pressed upright along the stems. The flowers are produced in heads. The ray flowers are pale blue and the disc flowers are white or pale pink turning purple. Eastern Silvery Aster is sometimes offered for sale by nurseries specializing in native plants, wildflower societies, and botanical gardens. It is drought tolerant once established and grows best in sandy soil in full sun. It works well with other tall native plants that it can “lean on” to remain upright.--A. Diamond

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Native

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