Georgia aster is an herbaceous wildflower in the daisy family (Asteraceae) and native to Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. It is typically found in dry rocky woodlands or in disturbed areas. It has become rare due to threats to its habitat and wildfire suppression. The plant will grow 1 to 3 feet tall and wide in full sun and well-drained, slightly acidic or alkaline soils. Plant the crown at soil level and keep moist until established. Once established, it is drought tolerant. Trim back to half of its height in midsummer to promote bushiness. The best way to propagate is by division of the rhizomes in early spring as the seeds of a colony of plants are usually self-sterile and need pollen from another colony to set fertile seeds. The vibrant purple flowers appear in clusters in early to late fall and attract many bees and butterflies. The purple ray flowers surround a center of white disc flowers that become reddish-purple with age. This plant may be used in groups or borders of cottage, native, pollinator or butterfly gardens and in naturalized areas such as meadows. This is one of the 20 key pollinator plants that should be blooming in August for the Great Southeast Pollinator Census 2025. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. More information on Symphyotrichum .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Sand
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Erect
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Oblanceolate; Oblong; Obovate
Leaf margin
Entire; Serrate
Leaf feel
Fleshy; Soft
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Oblong to lance-shaped green leaves up to 3 inches long by 3/4 inch wide have smooth to serrated margins. They clasp the stem and have tiny glands on tiny stalks called stipitate glands.
Flower color
Blue; Purple/Lavender
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Panicle
Flower shape
Radial; Saucer
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
2-3 inch wide purplish to violet ray flowers surrounds the white to purplish disc flowers. The bracts are covered with tiny glands on tiny stalks called "stipitate glands". Blooms from October to November
Bloom time
Fall
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Achenes are dry, seed-like, hairy and less than 1/8 inch long. Displays from November to December
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Cream/Tan
Stem detail
Flower stems are rough with hairs.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
SE USA
Distribution
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina
Wildlife value
Members of the genus Symphyotrichum support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) asteris, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) asteroides, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) hirticincta, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) nubecula, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) placata, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) simplex, and Colletes simulans.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Pollinators; Small Mammals; Songbirds