Description Native to much of central and eastern North America, calico aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum) is one of the many “little white asters” that grow wild here at Hayefield, in Bucks County, PA. Its bushy clumps typically reach 2 to 3 feet tall, seeding in around the native grasses and frosting the lower layer of the meadow as well as as shadier areas with its bounty of small white flowers in early to mid fall. In a garden setting, or any spot where you see the plants up close, you can appreciate the “calico” effect of the flowers: the white ray flowers surround disk flowers that start out yellow and turn reddish to purplish pink. You may also see this species referred to as side-flowering aster, due to the way the flowers tend to align on one side of each stem. Some of my plants have an upright, open-branching habit and others have the more layered habit that’s typical of what used to be the variety horizontale (now just part of the species); these seeds may produce plants with either habit or be somewhere in between. Calico aster tends to prefer some shade but can grow in sunny spots, particularly if the soil stays moist. Zones 4 to 9. Collected in October 2025. At least 20 seeds. PA ecotype. Shipping to U.S. addresses only. Please read the germination information as well before ordering.
