Symphyotrichum chilense - California Aster

Species Name:  Symphyotrichum chilense - California Aster

Species Description (from Calscape): The cheerful California Aster (Symphyotrichum chilense) is a member of the Sunflower family that’s native to coastal California. This perennial blooms from summer to fall, making it a good garden companion for other plants that have a spring blooming season. Its petite flowers bloom in subtle shades of blue and lavender. Butterflies and moths are attracted to the nectar. California Aster is a host plant for several species of both insects. Birds eat the seeds after blooming. California Aster likes loamy clay soil and full or partial sun exposure. It does well in moist soil,but is also drought-adapted and can tolerate receiving little to no supplemental summer water. Cut this plant back to the ground in late fall or early winter. Deadheading produces more flowers, but in wildlife gardens it is often left to go to seed. New growth appears in late winter. This plant grows from rhizomes, so some form of edging to contain its eventual spread and keep it in bounds should be considered when planting. (Calscape).

Growers: Larner Seeds

Amount of seed in packet: 2 grams

Other Names Used: Pacific Aster

Family: Asteraceae

Life Cycle: Perennial

Plant Type: Herb

Sun Exposure: Full, Partial

Bloom Period: Summer

Bloom Color(s): Blue, Lavender

Dormancy: Winter deciduous

Plant Height: 1-3 feet tall

Plant Width: 3 feet wide

California Regions:

• San Francisco Bay Area
• North Coast
• Central Valley
• Sierra Foothills
• Sierra Nevada
• Central California Coast
• Southern Coast
  

Ecological Benefits:

• Containers
• Deer Resistant
• Attracts pollinators, birds, moths, hoverflies, bats
  

Ecological Functions:

• Grows in Containers

Habitat Type:

• Chaparral
• Foothill Grassland
• Freshwater Marsh
• Mixed Evergreen Forest
• Valley Grassland
• Yellow Pine Forest
• Wetland-Riparian

Skill Level: Beginner

Seed Pretreatment: None

Seeding Instructions: Super easy to grow, can be sown directly into garden bed or grown in containers and transplanted when larger. Seeds germinate readily.