Hollinshead Water-wise Garden Plants

Photo:

Pat Kolling

Douglas Aster

Latin Name:

Symphyotrichum subspicatum

This perennial will bloom into the late summer. The rather lanky stems are topped with bluish purple flowers that look like miniature daisies.

Taxon ID#

93 MAINTENANCE

Maintenance Level:

Medium

Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:

Sun Preference:

Partial Sun

Water Preference:

M

Soil Preference:

Fertilizer Needs:

Recommended Mulch:

Family:

Asteraceae

Origins:

Plant Type:

Herbaceous Plant, Perennial

Western U.S. and Canada

Oregon native:

yes

Western state native:

yes

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Foliage Color:

Green

Foliage Description:

Stems with many hairy leaves. Leaves toothed; lower leaves lance-shaped, with short petiole; midstem leaves usually without petiole but do not clasp stem.

Fragrant:

no

Predominant flower color:

Purple

Flower Description:

Flower cup (involucre) of overlapping bracts, the outer bracts with paper-like margins and light yellow to reddish brown base; ray flowers purple or blue, about 1/2-1 in. long. Disc florets yellow tubular. Heads in raceme or cyme arrangements.

Fall color:

no

Fall Color Description:

Winter Foliage:

Deciduous

Winter Interest:

no

Winter Interest Description:

Mature height:

1-4'

Mature spread:

Growth rate:

Fast

LANDSCAPE APPLICATION

Deer Resistant:

no

Fire Resistant:

no

Attracts Pollinators:

yes

Attracts Butterflies:

yes

Native Habitat:

Ecosystem known as the ?coast forest? which
ranges from the ocean coast to the subalpine
areas of the mountains. Most common aster in northern British Columbia
and Alasa. Roadsides, salt water, streams, open fir forests,
fores edges.

Attracts Birds:

yes

Cut/Dried Flowers:

yes

Photo:

Pat Kolling

Used by Wildlife:

no

Hedge/Screen:

no

Swales:

yes

Wildlife Use:

Border:

yes

Erosion Control:

yes

Windbreak:

no

Cover Structures:

no

Ground Cover:

yes

Provides Shade:

no

Rock Garden:

yes

Adds Texture/Movement:

no

First Bloom:

Jul

Last Bloom:

Sep

Ornamental Accent:

no

Garden Observations:

SEASONAL CARE

Spring Care:

Summer Care:

Fall Care:

Winter Care:

Long Term Care:

Watch for spread

Insect Pests:

Wildlife Pests:

Diseases:

Prone to a variety of diseases. In particular, monitor for aster yellows and powdery mildew

Environmental Problems:

Landscape Problems:

Easily naturalizes via rhizomes. Watch for spread

Care Comments:

RESOURCES

OSU Landscape Profile:

USDA Plants:

https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=SYSUS

Calscape Database:

https://calscape.org/Symphyotrichum-subspicatum-(Douglas-Aster)?srchcr=sc5fb046327d883

Hollinshead Water-wise Garden Plants

Photo:

Pat Kolling

Douglas Aster

​

​

Latin Name:

Taxon ID#

93

MAINTENANCE

Medium

Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:

​

Sun Preference:

Partial Sun

Water Preference:

M

Soil Preference:

​

Fertilizer Needs:

​

Recommended Mulch:

​

Family:

Origins:

Plant Type:

Herbaceous Plant, Perennial

Western U.S. and Canada

Oregon native:

yes

Western state native:

yes

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Foliage Color:

Green

Foliage Description:

Stems with many hairy leaves. Leaves toothed; lower leaves lance-shaped, with short petiole; midstem leaves usually without petiole but do not clasp stem.

Fragrant:

no

Predominant flower color:

Purple

Flower Description:

Flower cup (involucre) of overlapping bracts, the outer bracts with paper-like margins and light yellow to reddish brown base; ray flowers purple or blue, about 1/2-1 in. long. Disc florets yellow tubular. Heads in raceme or cyme arrangements.

Fall color:

no

Fall Color Description:

​

Winter Foliage:

Deciduous

Winter Interest:

no

Winter Interest Description:

​

Mature height:

1-4'

Mature spread:

​

Growth rate:

Fast

LANDSCAPE APPLICATION

Deer Resistant:

no

Fire Resistant:

no

Attracts Pollinators:

yes

Attracts Butterflies:

yes

Native Habitat:

Ecosystem known as the ?coast forest? which ranges from the ocean coast to the subalpine areas of the mountains. Most common aster in northern British Columbia and Alasa. Roadsides, salt water, streams, open fir forests, fores edges.

Attracts Birds:

yes

Cut/Dried Flowers:

yes

Photo:

Pat Kolling

Used by Wildlife:

no

Hedge/Screen:

no

Ecosystem known as the ?coast forest? which
ranges from the ocean coast to the subalpine
areas of the mountains. Most common aster in northern British Columbia
and Alasa. Roadsides, salt water, streams, open fir forests,
fores edges.