Shining Aster
Symphyotrichum firmum
Glossy lance-shaped leaves on smooth purplish stems. Wet-meadow aster with pale blue rays. Often lumped with swamp aster (*S. puniceum*). Formerly *Aster firmus*.
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Type
- shrub
- Lifespan
- perennial
- Height
- 8.1–8.1 ft
- Spacing
- 1–2 ft apart
- Light
- sun, part shade
- Soil moisture
- moist
- Soil pH
- acidic, neutral
- Bloom
- August, September, October
- Bloom colors
- blue
- Wildlife value
- pollinators, butterflies, larval host
- Caterpillar hosts
- ~109 butterfly & moth species
- Landscape uses
- specimen, hedge or screen, erosion control
- Native states
- CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, MA, ME, MI, MN, MO, ND, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, TN, VT, WI, WV
Related native plants
More Symphyotrichum species
- New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
- Calico Aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum)
- Heart-leaved Aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium)
- Heath Aster (Symphyotrichum ericoides)
- Smooth Blue Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve)
- Pacific Aster (Symphyotrichum chilense)