Elliott’s aster (Symphyotrichum elliottii) is absolutely the final of our asters to flower at JLBG. It doesn’t start to flower till the primary of November and withstands the delicate frosts of October like they didn’t even occur. It’s naturally present in tidal freshwater marshes and different moist open websites from the Virginia and Carolina coastal plain south to Florida and west to Louisiana. Although it hails from moist environments it thrives below normal backyard circumstances if the soil isn’t allowed to develop into too droughty.

The plant has lots to suggest it in addition to the time of flower. It varieties stiff stems rising 5-6’ tall topped with a dense pyramidal association of inflorescences of pale pink with a touch bluish-purple ray flowers and shiny yellow disk flowers. The dearth of lanky branches permits this tall aster to show its flowers with out flopping everywhere in the remainder of your backyard within the method typical of asters. It spreads through rhizomes, so you should make sure you give it area to roam a bit. It offers a dramatic influence when planted in the back of borders. Although it spreads, it doesn’t roam removed from the father or mother plant and might be simply stored in place by yearly thinning of the outer edges of the clumps.

Essentially the most excellent function of this lovely aster to me is the quantity and variety of pollinators it helps. I don’t suppose I’ve ever seen a plant that attracted extra. Along with swarms of honeybees, bumblebees, carpenter, and solitary bees the flowers attract quite a few pollinating flies, halictids, moths and skippers. I really like crops that stretch the colour season and although all of us take into consideration early spring, we actually must also plant to increase our love affair with colour into the leafless season and Elliott’s aster does it is a huge means.

-Patrick