You may sow seed anytime from spring to fall, prior to the first frost. Set them outside for a few hours a day for three or four days. When seedlings have two sets of true leaves, harden off to gradually acclimate them to the outdoors. Cover seeds with 1/8 inch of soil and maintain even moisture until they germinate.Īlternatively, you can start seeds indoors about a month before the last average spring frost date. Let’s look at all three methods of propagation: From Seedĭirect sow seed after the last average spring frost date has passed.

However, those of cultivated or hybrid varieties are unlikely to do so.Ĭultivars may be propagated by stem cuttings and by division. The seeds of true botanical species replicate the traits of parent plants. This plant spreads by thick rhizomes and self-sowing. Swedish botanist Linnaeus was the first to classify the species in the 1700s, and is represented by the “L.” The Löves were botanists, the first from Iceland and the second from Sweden, who fine-tuned the classification in the early 20th century. In the fall, the foliage deepens to bronze tones, perfectly suited to the season.Ī noteworthy characteristic of this plant is that it does especially well in disturbed soil, as opposed to sites that have been untouched for long periods.Ĭalico aster’s complete name, including the “authors” of the species, is Symphyotrichum lateriflorum (L.) A. There may be hairs on the underside of the leaves. They may be as long as four to six inches near the base of the stems, and become incrementally smaller as they approach the stem apex. The foliage is green and narrow, with some visible serration on the largest leaves. In late fall, the flowers go to seed, turning to tufts of cottony brown and white that are dispersed by the wind to self sow. Unlike some other asters, the nectar tubes of this type are quite short, and attract beneficial insects that have a short proboscis, like mining bees. As they don’t all mature at the same time, they have a multicolor “calico” appearance.

They have delicate white rays and fuzzy-looking yellow centers that mature to shades of red and pink. Tiny blossoms measuring about one-third of an inch across cluster in upright panicle fashion along the upper side of each graceful stem. The erect stems are green to brown, and hairy, with lateral branching. It grows from one to three feet tall at maturity. Also known as white woodland, starved, or side-flowering aster, the calico aster is a North American herbaceous native plant with a bushy, clumping growth habit.

Calico aster