With a bounty of beautiful blooms, there
is no better genus of wildowers than
aster (Symphyotrichum spp.) for attracting
pollinators to your landscape.
Of the 26 species of aster native to
Florida, several are well-suited for
use in landscapes. Climbing aster (S.
carolinianum) is a sprawling, vinelike
shrub. It occurs naturally in coastal
hammocks, wet atwoods and along the
edges of swamps, springs and streams.
Elliott’s aster (S. elliottii) is an erect, multibranched
herbaceous perennial that
occurs in wet atwoods, swamps and
freshwater marshes. Both species can
be found nearly throughout the peninsula
and into the eastern Panhandle, although
Climbing aster has a slightly greater
distribution.
As fall- and winter-owering species,
Climbing aster and Elliott’s aster help
extend the options for nectar and pollen
available to pollinators. Climbing aster is
one of the few wildowers that will bloom
in December.
Description
Climbing aster’s limbs can extend to 8
feet or more. Flowers are 1 to 2 inches
in diameter and have a very sweet
fragrance. They have dense centers of
yellow-orange disk orets. Ray orets vary
in color from lavender to purplish-pink
to violet. Leaves are grayish-green and
elliptical to ovate with entire margins.
Elliott’s aster is a deciduous shrub that
can grow to 4 or 5 feet tall. Its owers
are about 1 inch in diameter with pale,
lavender ray orets surrounding a center
of yellow-orange disk orets. Flowers are
born in dense, crownlike clusters. Leaves
are shiny and elliptical to lance-shaped
with toothed margins.
Climbing aster blooms in the fall and
Aster
continues into January; it may bloom
year-round in favorable conditions. Elliott’s
aster typically blooms in late fall.
Planting
The sprawling nature of Climbing aster
makes it suitable for growing along a
trellis or fence. Elliott’s aster is best for
a naturalistic planting, and must be
frequently maintained in a more formal
setting. Both species are prolic selfseeders.
Elliott’s aster will also spread by
suckering.
Seeds
Elliott’s aster seeds are available
commercially. Sow in fall.
Plants
Climbing aster is generally available from
native plant nurseries. Elliott’s aster is
becoming more available.
Care
Cut back Climbing aster in late winter
after owering to encourage future
blooms and healthy growth. Elliott’s aster
can sucker and form dense colonies.
Suckers can be removed, but must
be tended to throughout the growing
season to keep them
from outcompeting
other species. Both
species can be
problematic in formal
landscapes as they
can take on a tangled
or chaotic appearance; however, they can
be pruned to any shape and also perform
well as a hedge.
Site conditions
Both Elliott’s and Climbing aster prefer
sandy, loamy or organic soils that
are moist, although they can tolerate
moderately dry soils. Plant in full sun to
partial shade. Neither is salt tolerant.
Hardiness zones
Climbing aster and Elliott’s aster are
suited for zones 8a–11a.
Other species
Other species of Symphyotrichum may
be available from native nurseries. Rice
button aster (S. dumosum) grows 2-3
feet tall and produces small, whitishlavender
owers. It suckers in single
stalks. Georgia aster (S. georgianum) has
cornower blue to purple ray orets and
contrasting white anthers. It requires a bit
more moisture and sun than S. elliottii or
S. carolinianum.
Eastern silver aster (S. concolor) is an
upland species that is very drought
tolerant. Its owers are deep violet and
born in spring on the ends of long stalks.
It gets its name from its silvery-green
foliage. Walter’s aster (S. walteri) is an
upland species that prefers dry, welldrained
soils. Its owers are smaller and
have fewer ray orets and more distinct
disk orets. It should not be planted south
of Central Florida.
The owers draw honey bees and
myriad native bees, including
polyester, sweat, cuckoo, leafcutter,
mining, bumble and miner bees.
Butteries and moths also love them
Monarchs, Pearl crescents, skippers,
fritillaries, Common buckeyes, Gray
hairstreaks, swallowtails and sulphurs
have been known to frequent the
owers for nectar.
4–5 ft
Nectar
Photo by Mary Keim
Monarch buttery on Elliott’s aster
Photo by Andrea England
Climbing aster owers and ower buds
Photo by Bill Evoy
Barred yellow sulphur on Climbing aster