Symphyotrichum shortii
Short's aster
Overview
Symphyotrichum shortii is a clump-forming perennial in the daisy family, growing 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) tall and 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) wide on arching, slender stems. The leaves are lance- to narrowly heart-shaped, 2-5 inches (5-13 cm) long, with smooth margins and small leafstalks, separating it from many asters with stalkless or clasping leaves. From late summer into autumn the plant carries open sprays of flower heads about 0.75-1 inch (2-2.5 cm) across, each with 10-20 blue to violet ray florets surrounding a yellow center disk that ages to reddish. It grows in open woods, wooded bluffs, and clearings on limestone-derived soils across east-central North America. The plant grows in part shade and well-drained, near-neutral to alkaline soil, and tends to flop in rich, overly fertile ground or deep shade. It spreads slowly by short rhizomes to form loose colonies. Late-season flowers supply nectar to bees and butterflies after many other plants have finished. Foliage dies back to the ground in winter, and growth resumes from the crown in spring. It can develop powdery mildew on the foliage in humid, crowded conditions with poor air movement.
Native Range
Symphyotrichum shortii is native to east-central North America, from Pennsylvania and Ontario west to Iowa and south to Georgia and Alabama. It grows in open woodlands, on wooded bluffs, and in clearings, typically over limestone or other calcareous soils.Suggested Uses
Symphyotrichum shortii is used in woodland gardens, native and pollinator borders, and naturalized plantings on alkaline soils. It is spaced 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) apart in informal groups. It combines with goldenrods and grasses for autumn color.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 3'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Flowering runs from late August into October, peaking in September. Each plant opens many small blue-violet heads over about six weeks. The bloom supplies late-season nectar as most summer perennials fade.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Blue to violet with yellow centerFoliage Description
Medium greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Symphyotrichum shortii grows in part shade to full sun in well-drained, near-neutral to alkaline soil. It tolerates dry shade once established and suits woodland edges, native borders, and naturalized plantings, but it flops in rich or overly fertile soil. Cutting the stems back by half in early summer produces shorter, sturdier plants with more flower heads. It needs little water except in extended drought and no routine fertilizer. Powdery mildew can appear on crowded plants in humid sites with poor air movement. It is hardy to USDA zone 4 and dies back to the crown each winter.Pruning
Symphyotrichum shortii responds to a single cutback in early summer, when stems are trimmed by about half to limit flopping and increase branching. Spent stems can be left over winter for structure and seed, then cut to the ground in early spring. No deadheading is needed during bloom.Pruning Schedule
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summer