Crooked-stemmed Aster is a native perennial wildflower in the daisy family. It is typically found growing along a woods edge, banks, and thickets. 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; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Clasping leaves, narrowed and toothless below the middle, smooth or fine hairs.
Flower color
Blue; Gold/Yellow; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Flower value
Good Cut; Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower shape
Saucer
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
20-30 pale violet petals with a yellow center. Floral bracts are narrow and translucent.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit detail
The dry seed achene (fruit) comes after the floral season being flat, brown, and hairy (pubescent).
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
South East Canada to U.S.A
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.