2 named cultivars
The Story
Plant Bio
Symphyotrichum lateriflorum, calico aster, is a bushy clumping perennial native from Canada to Mexico, reaching two to four feet. Small white daisy flowers open along horizontally spreading side branches from late summer into autumn, and the central discs age from yellow through rose to deep purple. Because they age at different rates, one plant carries several colours at once.
That shifting centre is where the name comes from, and it is the reason the plant reads as textured rather than uniform. It flowers late, tolerates dry shade better than most asters, and its horizontal branching gives an airy, layered outline instead of the stiff upright habit of border asters.
Uses & Benefits:
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Perennial
Height
36 inches
Width
18 inches
Light
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Zones
4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Water
Low to moderate
Humidity
Moderate
Lifespan
Perennial
Native To
Canada to Mexico
Toxicity
Non-toxic
Marketplace
Where to Buy
Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping
Planting
How to Grow
- Plant in spring in average, well-drained soil.
- Choose full sun to partial shade; it accepts both.
- Space plants about eighteen inches apart.
- Water through the first season, then only in drought.
- Pinch back in early summer for a denser habit if wanted.
- Leave stems standing over winter and cut back in late winter.
Pro Tip
It self-sows freely; deadhead after flowering if you would rather not find seedlings across the border next spring.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Plant in sun or partial shade 🌱
- Leave stems over winter for insects and seed 🦋
- Pinch in early summer for a bushier plant ✂️
- Use it for late-season nectar 🐝
Don't
- Overwater; it prefers ground on the drier side ❌
- Feed it heavily, which makes it lax ❌
- Let every seedling stay unless you want a colony ❌
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monitor | ||||||||||||
| Prune |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Companion Plants
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
Calico Aster questions
What zones can Calico Aster grow in?
Calico Aster is hardy in USDA Zones 4–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
Is Calico Aster deer resistant?
Yes — Calico Aster is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.
When does Calico Aster bloom?
Calico Aster typically blooms in late summer to fall through early fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does Calico Aster need full sun?
Calico Aster does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.
Is Calico Aster drought tolerant?
Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Calico Aster handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.
More Symphyotrichum to compare
New England Aster Harringtons Pink
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Harringtons Pink'
Eastern Silver Aster
Symphyotrichum concolor
New Mexico Aster My Antonia
Symphyotrichum fendleri 'My Antonia'
Purple Dome New England Aster
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Purple Dome'
New England Aster
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae '05-196-10'
Fanny aster
Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'Fanny'
Keep exploring
Explore the genus
Hardy in your zone?
Grow Calico Aster with confidence
See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.