Silky Aster Symphyotrichum sericeum is a Michigan Native plant available at Wild Cherry Farm
Silky Aster Symphyotrichum sericeum is a Michigan Native plant available at Wild Cherry Farm

Silky Aster (Symphyotrichum sericeum)

$6.00
Out of Stock

The flowers of Silky Aster attract many kinds of native bees and smaller butterflies (illinoiswildflower.info). It is also the potential host to 13 species of butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org). It is considered threatened in Michigan, so while you may not be preserving the plant that was once here, you are creating habitat for all of the species that may need it for survival (mnfi.anr.msu.edu). Silky Aster is such an attractive aster, with its blue-green foliage, and pretty flowers, so just another great reason to grow this plant. This aster seems to develop more slowly and does not like competition from taller plants. Mammals may browse the young foliage, however, it was found to increase in abundance as a result of grazing, so keep an eye on it and see what happens (ilinoiswildflower.info).

Photo credit: Peganum

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The flowers of Silky Aster attract many kinds of native bees and smaller butterflies (illinoiswildflower.info). It is also the potential host to 13 species of butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org). It is considered threatened in Michigan, so while you may not be preserving the plant that was once here, you are creating habitat for all of the species that may need it for survival (mnfi.anr.msu.edu). Silky Aster is such an attractive aster, with its blue-green foliage, and pretty flowers, so just another great reason to grow this plant. This aster seems to develop more slowly and does not like competition from taller plants. Mammals may browse the young foliage, however, it was found to increase in abundance as a result of grazing, so keep an eye on it and see what happens (ilinoiswildflower.info).

Photo credit: Peganum

Life Cycle: Perennial 

Sun Exposure: Full, Partial (Seems to prefer Full)

Soil Moisture: Medium-dry, Dry

Height: 0.5-2 feet

Plant Spacing:  1-2 feet

Bloom Time: September-October

Bloom Color: Lavender

Advantages: Pollinator Favorite, Bird Favorite

Host: Potentially 13 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host plant in our area (nwf.org)

Species of Concern: State Status: Threatened (legally protected). State Rank: Imperiled (mnfi.anr.msu.edu).

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