Source: jfox16
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 currently accept seeds for this plant
Bloom colour: White
Bloom period: Sep - Oct
Max Height: 3.0 feet
Max Width: 3.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light condition:
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Tolerates dry soil condition
Tolerates medium soil condition
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Tolerates dry soil condition
Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan:
Perennial
plants that will that come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
Easy to germinate
Self-seeding
Easy to germinate
Self-seeding
Landscape uses:
Suitable for rock gardens
Suitable for container garden
Suitable for school gardens
Suitable for rock gardens
Suitable for container garden
Suitable for school gardens
Ecological Benefits:
Supports pollinators
Butterfly host
Supports pollinators
Butterfly host
Tolerates:
Deer resistant
Rabbit resistant
Tolerates limestone conditions
Tolerates acidic soil conditions
Tolerates juglone conditions
Tolerates transplantation
Deer resistant
Rabbit resistant
Tolerates limestone conditions
Tolerates acidic soil conditions
Tolerates juglone conditions
Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:
This plant causes skin rashes
This plant causes skin rashes
Plant Location
Native to Ottawa region: No
Thrives in Ecozones
- Boreal Shield
- Mixed Wood Plains
Ecological Benefits
Butterflies Supported by Symphyotrichum pilosum
- Cucullia convexipennis (Brown Hooded Owlet)
- Eupithecia miserulata (American Common Pug)
- Euplexia benesimilis (American Angle Shades)
- Leuconycta diphteroides (Green Leuconycta)
- Phyciodes cocyta (Northern Crescent)
- Phyciodes tharos (Pearl Crescent)
- Trichordestra legitima (Striped Garden Caterpillar)
Specialized 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
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 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 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
- 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.