Image of Symphyotrichum pilosum
image of Flowering plant
Symphyotrichum pilosum
Old field aster
Aster poilu

Obsolete Names

  • awl aster
  • frostweed
  • hairy aster
  • hairy white old field aster
  • white heath aster
  • white old field aster
No seeds available for this plant.

We are not accepting seeds for this plant at the moment.

Bloom colour: White Bloom period: September - October
Max Height: 3.0 feet
Max Width: 3.0 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
Gardener Experience:
plant germinate easy Easy to germinate
Landscape uses:
rock garden Suitable for rock gardens
shoreline_rehab Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
container suitable Suitable for container garden
school garden Suitable for school gardens
Ecological Benefits:
Pollinator garden Supports pollinators
butterfly host Butterfly host
Tolerates:
Deer Resistant Deer resistant
rabbit resistant Rabbit resistant
limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
acidic soil Tolerant Tolerates acidic soil conditions
juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation

Plant Distribution

Native to Ottawa region: No

Distribution according to VASCAN

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

View on iNaturalist

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Ecozone-Boreal Plains
  • Ecozone-Mixed Wood Plain
  • Ecozone-Boreal Shield
  • Ecozone-Boreal_Plains

Butterflies Supported by Symphyotrichum pilosum

  • Leuconycta diphteroides (Green Leuconycta)
  • Phyciodes cocyta (Northern Crescent)
  • Phyciodes tharos (Pearl Crescent)

Bees Supported by Symphyotrichum pilosum

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

  • No complementary plants found.

Sowing Information

  • Sowing depth: Surface sow
  • Sow before February
  • Stratification duration: 60 days
  • Self-seeding

Harvesting Information

  • 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 1/4 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
  • On Cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity