Symphyotrichum concolor aka Eastern Silver Aster

Symphyotrichum concolor has the common name eastern silvery aster. It belongs to Asteraceae, the daisy family. This herbaceous perennial has soft growth and lives for years. Its native range spans the eastern United States and the Bahamas. It grows across North Carolina, but mountain records are rare. Its main habitats there are the Atlantic Piedmont and coastal plains. Some northern states have lost this plant. Others class it as critically imperiled, at grave risk. Aster concolor is an older name for this species.

Plants reach 1.5–3 feet [0.46–0.91 metres] tall. They spread about 1 foot [0.30 metres] wide. They grow at a moderate rate, with stems that rise upright. The straight, round stems range from green to copper. Silvery hairs cover the stems and leaves. Soft leaves give the plant a fine texture. Each simple leaf has one blade and clasps the stem. Leaves grow in turn along the stem, not in pairs. Some are narrow and linear, like thin strips. Others are oblong or lanceolate, shaped like a lance. Their edges are smooth, and the plant sheds its leaves.

Flower heads open from September through October. Warm climates can keep the blooms going into late fall. Each head has lavender or purple rays around cream disc florets. These small central flowers turn dark after pollination. Heads measure about 0.08–0.25 feet [0.025–0.076 metres] across. Each has seven to twenty rays. The flowers give bees nectar late in the season. Small, dry fruits follow the blooms. Their display lasts from October into November. Each fruit is an achene, a dry fruit with one seed. A tuft of fine, stiff hairs tops each fruit.

Grow silvery aster in full sun and soil that drains well. It also copes with part shade. Sandy soil or shallow, rocky ground suits its needs. It thrives in poor soil and withstands drought well. The source lists acid, neutral, and alkaline soils as suitable. NC State lists USDA hardiness zones 8a through 11b. It recommends seed as the way to grow new plants. Wet soil can cause root rot, so drainage matters.

Use this wildflower in meadows or borders. It also suits plantings that grow in a natural style. Grow it in butterfly gardens or plantings for other pollinators. Taller plants nearby help hold up its stems during bloom. NC State reports no major plant problems overall. Its page also lists southern blight as a possible disease. In 1996, it earned North Carolina Wildflower of the Year recognition.