Toxic Plant Inconnu - Inadequate information on toxicity found.

Plant Names

image of Plante à fleurs
Symphyotrichum sericeum
Western Silvery Aster
Aster soyeux

Synonyms

silky aster
western silver aster
western silver-leaved aster

Plant Characteristics

Couleur de floraison: Violet Bloom Period: Sep - Oct
Hauteur max: 1,0 feet
Max Width: 2,0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light Condition:
Full sun Plus de 6 heures d'ensoleillement par jour
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture dry Tolère des conditions de sol sec
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Vivace des plantes qui reviennent année après année
Gardener Experience:
does not spread Ne se propage pas de manière incontrôlable
plant spread by rhizome Spreads by rhizome
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
rock garden Suitable for rock gardens
row garden Suitable for Right of Way gardens
container suitable Suitable for container garden
school garden Suitable for school gardens
boulevard garden tolerant Tolerates boulevard garden conditions
Ecological Benefits:
butterfly host Butterfly host
keystones species Keystone species
Tolerates:
Limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
Juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
Transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:
septic tank safe This plant is septic tank safe
causes skin rashes This plant causes skin rashes

Seed and plant distribution status

No seeds available for this plant.
Nous acceptions les semences de cette plante

Faits intéressants

Western Silvery Aster is distinguished by its silvery, hairy leaves and stems. It produces daisy-like flowers in shades of lavender, violet or pale purple with yellow centres from late summer into fall. The silvery foliage is an adaptation to dry, sunny conditions and gives the plant an attractive appearance even when it is not flowering. It is an excellent choice for a rairie garden, dry border, sandy garden or sunny slope. It forms a relatively compact clump and is generally well behaved. It is very drought tolerant once established. It requires excellent drainage, particularly through winter. It does not need rich soil as overly rich soil can encourage weak, floppy growth.

Plant Location

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Symphyotrichum sericeum
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Bouclier boréal
  • Plaines à forêts mixtes

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Symphyotrichum sericeum

Specialized Bees Supported by Symphyotrichum sericeum

  • Andrena aliciae
  • Andrena asteris
  • Andrena canadensis
  • Andrena chromotricha
  • Andrena hirticincta
  • Andrena nubecula
  • Andrena placata
  • Andrena simplex
  • Complexe Colletes americanus
  • Complexe Colletes compactus
  • Complexe Colletes simulans
  • Dianthidium simile
  • Melissodes agilis
  • Melissodes druriellus
  • Melissodes illatus
  • Melissodes subillatus
  • Melissodes trinodis
  • Protandrena andrenoides
  • Pseudopanurgus aestivalis

Complementary Plants

  • No complementary plants found.

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Chrysanthemum (Mums)
  • Rosa (Non-native Roses)
  • Helianthus (Non-Native Sunflower)
  • NA (Black Eyed Susan's Cultivars)
  • Rudbeckia Triloba (Brown Eyed Susan's)
  • Echinacea (Coneflowers)
  • NA (Coreopsis cultivars)
  • NA (Non-native False Sunflower)
  • Symphiotrichum (Non-Native Aster)
  • Melilotus albus (Sweet White Clover)
  • Hesperis matronalis (Dame Rocket)

Sowing Information

Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Surface sow
  • Sow by February
  • Stratification duration: 60 days
  • Self-seeding

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: November
  • Harvesting indicator:
    • Seeds have become fluffy and can be easily removed by shaking on gently pulling off from stem
  • Harvesting:
    • Secouer le porte-graines dans un sac de papier
  • Seed viability test:
    • Pas de test requis avant le don
  • Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/4 teaspoon
  • Seed storage:
    • Sécher à l'air dans un sac en papier ou contenant ouvert, pour quelques jours jusqu'à sec
    • Secouer de temps à autre pour prévenir la moisissure
  • Cultivar: No, you can donate without knowing the source as there are only straight species
  • No harvesting video available at this time.

Toxicity Notes

Inadequate information on toxicity found.