Bushy Aster grow upright and have very narrow leaves that gives them a slender look. They have lavender flowers that appear very daisy-like. This Florida Native is drought tolerant and also excellent for butterfly gardens.
How to care for Bushy Aster
Light. Full sun to light shade.
Water. Water while it establishes. After that it needs no supplemental water, though it also handles moist soil.
Soil and feeding. It grows in sandy or limestone soil and does well in nutrient-poor ground, so it needs little feeding.
Size. Grows to about 2 ft at a moderate to fast rate; some plants reach 4 ft.
Good to know. A Florida native wildflower of pinelands and prairies. It blooms spring to fall with white or blue flowers and may die back in winter. It is a larval host for the pearl crescent butterfly and draws butterflies and native bees. Keep it out of salt wind.
Sources: Natives for Your Neighborhood (Institute for Regional Conservation): Symphyotrichum dumosum · Florida Native Plant Society Plant Database: Symphyotrichum dumosum
