Rice-Button Aster (Symphyotrichum dumosum)

Description:   Long-lived perennial with typical aster flowers ranging in color from white to blue, on branching spikes up to 2-4 ft tall.  Flowers are slightly smaller than those of Scaleleaf Aster, but abundant and very attractive during fall flowering in South Florida, especially in sunny areas. Widespread and with variable morphology (those sold here have tall-ish flower spikes and white-lavender flowers). 

Natural Habitat: Moist pinelands and open areas in Miami-Dade.

Planting and Care:  Tolerates drought if established, does best with moist soil and flowers best in full sun.  

Pros:  Hardy, tolerates wide variety of soil conditions.  Very attractive autumn display.  Like most asters, it attracts native pollinators. Larval host plant for Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos) butterfly.

Cons:  Not much, needs abundant sun for optimal blooming, but will bloom (less) in partial shade.

Flower photo copyright Roger Hammer