Scientific Name:
Symphyotrichum dumosum
(incl. hybrid cvs.)
Pronunciation:
ASS-tur ex dew-MOE-sum
Common Name:
bushy aster, rice button aster
Family Name:
Asteraceae
Plant Type:
Herbaceous perennial
Key ID Features:
Compact aster; leaves lanceolate to spatulate, margins crenate to serrate, up to 10cm x 2cm; head inflorescences up to 2cm wide, floret rays of most cultivars blue, disk florets yellow.
Habit:
Upright
Form:
Vase
Texture:
Medium - fine
Mature Height:
0.4 - 0.7m
Mature Spread:
0.3 - 0.6m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
Garden origin, U.S. - northeast, U.S. - southwest
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 4: (-34 to -29 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun
Soil/Growing Medium:
Landscape Uses:
Attract beneficial insects, Perennial border, Rock garden, Summer interest
Additional Info:
Google . Cultivars shown include S. x dumosum 'Wood's Blue'.
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible, Pinnate venation
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Shapes:
Lanceolate, Oblanceolate, Spatulate
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Attenuate, Truncate
Margins:
Crenate, Serrate
Inflorescence Type:
Head (capitulum), Panicle-like
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Corolla Shape:
Ligulate
Ovary Position:
Inferior
Colour (petals):
Showy, White, Blue, Purple, Pink (disk flowers are yellow)
Flower Time at Peak:
Aug, Sep
Fruit Type:
Cypsela (achene + calyx)
Fruit Colour:
Brown, Silver
Fruiting Time:
Bark or Stem Colour:
Pest Susceptibility:
(Rabbit resistant)
