Image of Symphyotrichum ericoides
Source: davecz2
image of Flowering plant
Symphyotrichum ericoides
White Heath Aster
Aster éricoïde

Obsolete Names

heath aster
No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Bloom colour: White Bloom period: Aug - Oct
Max Height: 2.0 feet
Max Width: 1.5 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light condition:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture dry Tolerates dry soil condition
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will that come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
beginner friendly Suitable for beginner gardeners
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape uses:
rock garden Suitable for rock gardens
row garden Suitable for Right of Way gardens
rain garden Suitable for rain gardens
shoreline_rehab Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
container suitable Suitable for container garden
school garden Suitable for school gardens
boulevard garden tolerant Tolerates boulevard garden conditions
foot traffic tolerant Tolerates foot traffic
Ecological Benefits:
Pollinator garden Supports pollinators
butterfly host Butterfly host
keystones species Keystone species
Tolerates:
Salt Tolerant Tolerates salt conditions
Deer Resistant Deer resistant
rabbit resistant Rabbit resistant
foot traffic Tolerant Tolerates foot traffic
limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
acidic soil Tolerant Tolerates acidic soil conditions
juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:
causes skin rashes This plant causes skin rashes

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Yes

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Symphyotrichum ericoides
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent
View taxonomy on Canadensys

View on iNaturalist

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Taiga Plains
  • Boreal Plains
  • Montane Cordillera
  • Prairies
  • Boreal Shield
  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Symphyotrichum ericoides

  • Cucullia convexipennis (Brown Hooded Owlet)
  • Eupithecia miserulata (American Common Pug)
  • Euplexia benesimilis (American Angle Shades)
  • Leuconycta diphteroides (Green Leuconycta)
  • Phyciodes cocyta (Northern Crescent)
  • Trichordestra legitima (Striped Garden Caterpillar)

Specialized Bees Supported by Symphyotrichum ericoides

  • 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
Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.

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)
  • Helianthus).1 (Non-Native Sunflower)
  • NA (Non-Native False Sunflower)
  • Symphiotrichum (Non-Native Aster)
  • Melilotus albus) (Sweet White Clover)
  • Hesperis matronalis (Dame Rocket)

Sowing Information

Download Sowing Label (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Surface sow
  • Sow anytime
  • Stratification duration: 0 days
  • Self-seeding
  • Notes: Can be sown in late spring in warm soil.

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: October
  • Harvesting indicator: Seeds have become fluffy and can be easily removed by shaking on gently pulling off from stem
  • Harvesting mean: Shake seed head in paper bag
  • Seed viability test: No test needed before donating
  • Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/8 teaspoon
  • Seed storage: Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp, shaking seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • At least one cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
  • No harvesting video available at this time.

Toxicity Notes

Inadequate information on toxicity found.