Description
Calico Aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum), also known as Goblet Aster or Side-Flowering Aster, is a graceful native wildflower that brings color to the garden when most other plants are finishing for the season. It was formerly classified as Aster lateriflorus, a botanical name that is still commonly used in gardening and native plant references. It blooms from late summer until frost, producing hundreds of small white flowers with centers that change from yellow to reddish-purple, giving the plant its “calico” appearance.
Growing about 2 to 3 feet tall, Calico Aster has an airy, branching habit with flowers concentrated along one side of its spreading stems. It becomes fuller and more floriferous in sunny locations, while plants grown in partial shade develop a looser, more natural appearance. Pinching stems back in early summer encourages additional branching and a denser display of blooms.
This adaptable species thrives in full sun to partial shade and grows well in average to dry, well-drained soils. It is particularly drought tolerant once established, making it a great choice for woodland edges, rock gardens, pollinator gardens, and naturalized landscapes.
Like many asters, Calico Aster is an important late-season nectar source for pollinators. It attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, and serves as a host plant for butterflies and moths including Pearl Crescent and Harris’s Checkerspot.
