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A sea of purple Douglas' aster blooms (Symphyotrichum subspicatum / Aster subspicatum). Another stunning Pacific Northwest native plant available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Side angel close-up of the radially symmetrical purple and yellow flower of Douglas' aster (Symphyotrichum subspicatum / Aster subspicatum). Another stunning Pacific Northwest native plant available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Close-up of the radially symmetrical purple and yellow flower of Douglas' aster (Symphyotrichum subspicatum / Aster subspicatum). Another stunning Pacific Northwest native plant available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Woodland skipper butterfly sits atop a purple Douglas Aster flower (Symphyotrichum subspicatum / Aster subspicatum). Another stunning Pacific Northwest native plant available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Close-up of purple blooms on a Douglas' aster plant (Symphyotrichum subspicatum / Aster subspicatum). Another stunning Pacific Northwest native plant available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants nursery in Portland, Oregon.
The growth habit of a Douglas' aster (Symphyotrichum subspicatum / Aster subspicatum) flowering in a garden setting. Another stunning Pacific Northwest native plant available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants nursery in Portland, Oregon.
A tall patch of flowering Douglas' aster plants (Symphyotrichum subspicatum / Aster subspicatum) with an urban landscape in the background. Another stunning Pacific Northwest native plant available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants nursery in Portland, Oregon.

Douglas' Aster

$4.49
$4.49

Symphyotrichum subspicatum / Aster subspicatum

Douglas' aster is a fast-growing perennial with purple daisy-like flowers that attract scores of pollinators from late summer through autumn, when most other flowers have long since gone to seed. Rugged, fast-growing and often quite tall, add them to a sunny open area with plenty of space where it will effortlessly create a gorgeous buffet of late-season blooms for native bees and butterflies. The spent flowers usually stay upright on sturdy stalks and, if left, can provide winter interest and habitat resources for birds and overwintering beneficial insects.

  • Plant type/canopy layer: deciduous perennial herbaceous plant
  • Size at maturity: 1-4' tall, spreads aggressively by rhizomes
  • Light requirements: full sun to partial shade
  • Moisture requirements: prefers moist soil, but will tolerate a wide range of soils
  • Growth rate/ease: fast growing, easy to grow 
  • Bloom time: June - October (August - September in the Portland Metro area)
  • Wildlife support: flowers attract and provide nectar to hummingbirds, adult butterflies, bees and other insect pollinators; overall plant attracts and supports beneficial and other pest eating insects and is a caterpillar host plant and larval food source for native butterflies and moths
  • Native habitat/range: grows in disturbed areas, on beaches and other open moist sites and along streams, at low elevations, across Western North America from Alaska to Northern California. Portland Plant List – yes. 
  • Special features & uses: beneficial insect, pollinator and wildlife favorite, especially in the late season; drought tolerant; landscape uses include pollinator gardens, meadowscapes, rock gardens and erosion control

Gardening with Douglas Aster: Hardy, easy to grow - Douglas' aster is an excellent addition for open sunny wildflower meadows and is an important late-season pollen and nectar for pollinators. Form can be quite variable depending on soil quality and sunlight; from shorter and compact to very tall and leggy. Bloom color can also vary widely from pale violet in shady areas to dark purple in full sun. Plant in an area where it will have plenty of room to spread to create a dense swath of greenery and blooms. It spreads vigorously by rhizome and seed. Over time, you’ll have a lot to share with friends.

Photo Credit 1 (seaofblooms): © caleb-howerton, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)

Photo Credit 2 (sideangle): "douglas' aster" by davidbroadland is marked with CC0 1.0.

Photo Credit 3 (flowerclose): "douglas' aster" by Harry Podschwit is licensed under CC BY 4.0. 

Photo Credit 4 (butterfly): "Woodland Skipper Butterfly" by born1945 is licensed under CC BY 2.0. 

Photo Credit 5 & 6 (floweringhabit): Tara Lemezis, Tiny Seed Photography

Photo Credit 7 (urban): © Philipp Wickey, all rights reserved 

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