Panicled Aster

Panicled Aster (Symphyotrichum lanceolatum) is one of the last wildflowers to put on a show before winter sets in, making it a favorite for extending late-season color. Its tall stems are topped with clouds of small, starry white-to-lavender blooms that seem to float in the autumn landscape. Pollinators—especially bees and migrating butterflies—flock to its nectar at a time when few other plants are still in flower, making it a vital part of the late-season garden ecosystem.

Because it spreads by rhizomes, Panicled Aster is excellent for naturalizing in open meadows, borders, and restoration projects where you want a graceful, slightly wild look. Its height and airy texture make it a perfect back-of-the-border plant or companion to ornamental grasses. Tough and hardy, this native perennial thrives in a variety of soils, asking only for decent sun and moderate moisture to put on a spectacular autumn display.