Symphyotrichum carolinianum

climbing aster

Asteraceae (Compositae)

Plant Specifics

Form:

vine

Size:

to 10 ft

Life Span:

long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

pink,purple,lavender

Fruit Color:

Phenology:

Blooms from late summer well into fall, through the winter in south Florida.

Noted For:

Showy Flowers, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Use as a sprawling vine in wet areas. Works well as a stand-alone border along the edges of retention ponds.

Considerations:

Its sprawling or climbing habit make it best for an informal or naturalized setting.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Stays wet ---- to ---- Somewhat moist, no flooding

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Loam, Organic

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B,11

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Butterflies

Flowers draw a myriad of native bees, including  polyester ,  sweat ,  cuckoo ,  leafcutter ,  mining ,  bumble  and  chimney  bees.





Butterflies and moths also love them:  Monarchs ,  Pearl crescents ,  skippers ,  fritillaries ,  Common buckeyes ,  Gray hairstreaks ,  swallowtails  and  sulphurs  have been known to frequent the flowers for nectar. (Florida Wildflower Foundation blog)





 

Native Habitats:

Marshes, swamps, lake edges, river banks, coastal hammocks, floodplains.