Symphyotrichum oblongifolium

Symphyotrichum oblongifolium is a native aster scattered throughout the southeast in dry woodlands (mostly absent from the coastal plain). It grows best in full sun and soils that are dry to moist. When given space, it grows tall and branchy and falls over- giving the overall effect of a round full flowering bush. It can also be cut back and bloom at a shorter height. It blooms in the fall, producing copious purple daisy-like flowers that attract lots of pollinators. Birds eat the seeds in the winter. This plant dies back almost completely in the winter, but leaving the dormant stems up provides necessary over-wintering habitat for pollinators. Symphyotrichum oblongifolium works well as a showy native in a rain garden or yard, or for use in stormwater control projects.