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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 21h

Climbing aster (Ampelaster carolinianus) has a very small range and only one county in Georgia, but it can be found at native plant sales occasionally. The habit is rather shrub/vinelike. It is one of the later ones to bloom. #nativeplants

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 23h

Note: some plant apps might identify photos of these dense flowers as Symphyotrichum ericoides but that species is rare in GA and only in the NW corner per FSUS (Flora of the Southeastern United States).

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 23h

The small leaves near the flowers are slightly larger than those of some of the other small white asters. Right now you might see dense groups of this on the edges of old fields, covered in hundreds of small white flowers.

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 23h

Another small white aster is the hairy white old-field aster, also called frost aster (Symphyotrichum pilosum var. pilosum). Found throughout the state, this species has noticeable hairs on the leaves and stem and a rather handsome flower. Overall height is about 2-4 feet... (1/3) #nativeplants

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 1d

This is bushy aster or rice button aster (Symphyotrichum dumosum). Native throughout Georgia, it looks very similar to S. racemosum except the flowers are not arranged on one side of the stem, but come away from the stem at all directions, perhaps giving it a bushier appearance. #nativeplants

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 1d

This is Symphyotrichum racemosum which has the totally common name of small white aster. The flowers are quite small, the stems thin and the leaves tiny. The flowers are numerous and usually arranged along one side of the stem. It is perennial and small bees are very fond of it. #nativeplants

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 1d

Calico aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum) is found in most of Georgia. Small dark green leaves are a beautiful foil for the tiny white flowers whose disk centers sport a range of colors over time. This plant goes unnoticed for much of the growing season until it bursts into bloom. #nativeplants

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 2d

Smooth blue aster (Symphyotrichum laeve) has smooth leaves (not rough like many blue asters). It has a small native range in NW Georgia but is often sold at native plant sales. It works well in containers where it can grow 2-3 feet tall. #nativeplants

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 2d

Georgia aster (Symphyotrichum georgianum) is found only in a few states and we are so glad that Georgia is one of them! It has the largest blooms (up to 2" across) of any of our native asters. Compared to S. patens, Georgia aster is similar in stems, leaves and growth pattern. (1/3) #nativeplants

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 2d

Symphyotrichum puniceum is often called the purple-stemmed aster but there are some plants that don’t have a noticeably purple stem. It is also called swamp aster because of its affinity for moist areas. It is found in the northern half of Georgia. (1/2) #nativeplants

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 8d

New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) is sold in Georgia but the native range in the state is rather small. Adaptable to a bushy, compact shape, the species is a favorite of gardeners for having numerous, large flowers whose ray colors range from pink to purple. (1/2) #nativeplants

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 9d

Wavy-leaved aster (Symphyotrichum undulatum) is a small, part-shade aster found across GA. The plant is 1-2' tall with a small panicle of flowers with pale blue to lavender-colored rays. The lower leaves have petioles that can be winged and the margins of leaves can have a slight wave. #nativeplants

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 10d

Short’s aster (Symphyotrichum shortii) has a very small range in Georgia. This perennial, clumping aster seems to prefer woodland areas where it grows to about 2 ½ feet tall with a branching panicle of pale blue or lavender-colored flowers. (1/2) #nativeplants

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 11d

A larger, showier and more sun-loving aster blooming now is “late” purple aster, Symphyotrichum patens. A smaller flower head (1") and a bright yellow center of disk flowers helps distinguish it from Georgia aster which grows in similar conditions with similar clasping, rough leaves. #nativeplants

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 12d

A soft blue aster blooming now is heart-leaved blue aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium). Small flowers cluster closely along the stems, with numerous branches reaching up 3-4 feet tall. This aster is fine with part-shade and tolerates a range of moisture conditions. (1/2) #nativeplants

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 13d

This is white wood aster (Eurybia divaricata), naturally found only in the northern counties of Georgia, it has soft, leafy foliage closer to the ground with stems of white flowers held above up to about 2 feet. Great perennial for shady areas and fairly drought tolerant. #nativeplants

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 14d

Eurybia is a group of plants that were split out of the Aster genus when North American asters were taxonomically reevaluated. This is a gorgeous purple one from Cherokee County that is likely Eurybia surculosa. Eurybias often flower earlier than the asters in the Symphyotrichum genus. #nativeplants

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 15d

Dogfennel (Eupatorium capillifolium) is a native perennial that modestly blooms in late summer. While the tiny blooms aren’t very noticeable to humans, insects pollinate them and create seeds for winter birds. It grows abundantly on roadsides. The foliage is mildly aromatic. #nativeplants

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 16d

The last goldenrod we'll feature is downy ragged goldenrod, or Solidago petiolaris. This species has fairly large flowerheads and the plant itself can be 3-4' tall. It is a statuesque, well-behaved plant found in the lower Piedmont to upper Coastal Plain... and great for a garden! #nativeplants

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 16d

There are some shade tolerant goldenrods. Blooming now is blue-stem or wreath goldenrod, Solidago caesia. This perennial grows to about 3' tall but the stems usually arch away from the center so it may not even be that tall; growth habit is clumping so this is very well behaved. (1/2) #nativeplants

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 18d

So while you may not want this particular one in your garden (but maybe along your road), please give it a cheerful nod this season and recognize what a powerful workhorse it is for the native critters around us.

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 18d

Tall goldenrod, like all goldenrods, is a host plant to over 100 different butterflies and moths – more than any other perennial. And come winter, its seedheads will nourish many a songbird.

Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 18d

This is the one that you see all OVER the side of the road and the one that mistakenly gets blamed for fall allergies. Tall goldenrod (Solidago altissima) is a perennial, rhizomatous native flower that keeps bees and late butterflies very happy as a bountiful source of nectar. (1/3) #nativeplants

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 19d

Occasionally the leaves will turn to burgundy towards the end of the season, a beautiful complement to the flowers.

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 19d

Here is the other species with the common name “showy goldenrod.” This is Solidago erecta and it is a well behaved “clumper.” When undisturbed, it produces a single long wand of flowers; if nipped by a deer or broken by accident, it will produce multiple shorter stalks. (1/2) #nativeplants

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