Beautiful, compact plant, which literally is covered in tiny, white flowers in autumn. Its blossoms resemble those of the heath plants of the British moors.This aster is perfectly suited to our climate and spreads by rhizomes to form strong, tight bushes of small leaves. Clumps can get large, especially in good soil.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
Heath Aster
Symphyotrichum ericoides
Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennials
Native Environment: Prairie
Season of Interest: Late (July - frost), Winter (Nov - Mar)
Main Color: White
Fall Color:
USDA PLANTS Range Map
At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data


Sun Exposure
Full Sun

Soil
Moisture
Dry

Nature Attracting
Butterfly, Pollinators/Beneficial Insects

Wildlife Benefit
Butterfly / Moth Nectar, Food/Pollinators

Animal
Resistance
Deer Resistant
Size
Height:
1 to
2
feet
Spread:
2 to
3
feet
Size
Height: 1 to
2
feet
Spread: 2 to
3
feet
Size
Height: 1 to
2
feet
Spread: 2 to
3
feet
Typical Landscape Use
Establishment and Care Instructions
Great for poor, dry soils. Best in full sun. Does very well in soil that is well-drained. Can be aggressive in rich soils.
Special Features
Special Usage
Salt Tolerant
Basic Description
Where Should I Start?
Check out the Grow Native! Committee’s Top Ten picks of native plants for a particular purpose.
What’s the Next Step?
Picked out your plants? View our Resource Guide of garden centers, seed sources, landscapers, education resources, and more!
Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.