Aster ericoides (Heath Aster)
Attractive to butterflies, Aster ericoides (Heath Aster) is a compact and bushy perennial boasting numerous branched stems smothered by sprays of tiny star-like white flowers in late spring to mid-fall. These sprays are so densely packed with blooms that they turn the plant completely white due to the sheer quantity of the flowers. The floral display attracts many butterflies, moths, skippers, bees, flies, and beetles. The stems are clad with stiff, linear, needlelike green leaves, 3 in. long (7 cm), resembling those of heath shrubs. Though the foliage looks like it might be prickly from a distance, it is actually quite soft to the touch. Native to North America, this attractive perennial is easy to grow, low maintenance, mildew resistant and is not affected by any serious pests or diseases. Spreading by rhizomes to form colonies, Heath Aster makes a fine ground cover for sunny, dry, or rocky garden spots.
- Typically grows up to 12-36 in. tall (30-90 cm) and 12-18 in. wide (30-45 cm).
- Thrives in full sun in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. Does well in sandy or clay soils. Tolerates drought, dry soils, and poor soils.
- A vital ingredient of late summer and fall borders, cottage gardens, or rock gardens. Great as a groundcover too!
- No serious pest or disease issues.
- Propagate by division or seed.
- Native to the central and eastern United States, Canada.
Requirements
| Hardiness | 3 – 10 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones | 1 – 8 |
| Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Plant Family | Aster |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest | Summer (Late)Fall |
| Height | 1' – 3' (30cm – 90cm) |
| Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
| Spacing | 24″ (60cm) |
| Water Needs | Low, Average |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Showy |
| Native Plants | United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Southeast, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas |
| Tolerance | Clay Soil, Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
| Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
| Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Ground Covers |
| Garden Styles | Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage |