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Calico Aster

Symphyotrichum lateriflorum

Calico aster sprays horizontal branches of tiny white daisies with pink-to-purple centers that change color with age, a fine-textured fall nectar plant for sun or part shade. Young leaves have been cooked as a green.

Family

Asteraceae

Type

wildflower

Lifespan

perennial

Height

2–3 ft

Spacing

2–3 ft apart

Light

sun, part shade, shade

Soil moisture

dry, moist

Soil pH

alkaline

Bloom

August, September, October

Bloom colors

white, purple

Wildlife value

butterflies

Caterpillar hosts

~109 butterfly & moth species

Landscape uses

border

Native states

AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV