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Calico Aster

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SKU: AM022083
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plant - 3" pot
$11.99$9.59
tray of 16 $9.05/plant
$180.98$144.78
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Overview

• Native to eastern and central US, Calico Aster is a pollinator magnet attracting a wide range of beneficial visitors
• Late season nectar provides a crucial resource to bees and butterflies preparing for the winter or long migration routes south
• The small white flowers have yellow centers that shift to a rosy purple after being pollinated, leading to a range of hues in a single cluster and the common name Calico Aster
• Tolerant of a wide range of soil and light conditions, this easy to grow native perennial is a must have for your pollinator planting

key features
Botanical Name
Symphyotrichum lateriflorum
Advantages
Native, Bee Friendly, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Birds, Attracts Beneficial Insects, Easy To Grow, Low Maintenance
Growing Zones
Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9
Light Requirements
Full Sun, Half Sun / Half Shade
Soil Moisture
Average, Moist / Wet
Mature Height
24-36" tall
Mature Spread
18-36" wide
Bloom Time
Late summer to frost
SKU
AM022083

Description

Calico Aster, known scientifically as Symphyotrichum lateriflorum, is a perennial plant native to central and eastern North America, extending from Canada to Mexico. It flourishes in diverse habitats such as moist fields, forest edges, and thickets, often favoring light shade and moist, well-drained soils. This adaptable plant can withstand occasional flooding and makes a great low maintenance addition to the garden.

An intriguing aspect of the Calico Aster is its name, which highlights the colorful change of its disk flowers. These centers begin as yellow and gradually turn dark purple or rosy red as they mature, often resulting in a single plant displaying multiple colors at once.

This plant not only adds beauty to gardens and natural landscapes but also supports local ecosystems by providing nectar for pollinators and seeds that are dispersed by the wind.

Calico Aster serves as a host plant for several insects as a keystone species. It is particularly valuable as a caterpillar host for at least 11 species of butterflies and moths, including the larvae of the Isabella tiger moth (Pyrrharctia isabella), the Green owlet moth (Leuconycta diphteroides), the Pearl crescent butterfly (Phyciodes tharos), and the Silvery checkerspot butterfly (Charidryas harrisii). Additionally, it provides pollen for at least 16 native specialist bee species.