Snow Flurry Aster
Symphyotrichum ericoides 'Snow Flurry'
Plant Height: 10 inches
Flower Height: 16 inches
Spread: 18 inches
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 3a
Other Names: Heath Aster, Heather Aster, form. Aster ericoides
Description:
A drought tolerant, low growing, spreading variety that looks stunning in rock gardens, borders or as groundcover; features narrow green foliage and small, dainty white flowers that bloom during the fall; easy to grow, requiring little to no maintenance
Ornamental Features
Snow Flurry Aster has masses of beautiful white daisy flowers with yellow eyes at the ends of the stems from late summer to late fall, which are most effective when planted in groupings. Its ferny leaves remain emerald green in color throughout the season.
Landscape Attributes
Snow Flurry Aster is a dense herbaceous perennial with a ground-hugging habit of growth. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.
This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;
- Disease
Snow Flurry Aster is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- Mass Planting
- Border Edging
- General Garden Use
- Container Planting
Planting & Growing
Snow Flurry Aster will grow to be about 10 inches tall at maturity extending to 16 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 18 inches. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!
This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under typical garden conditions. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selection of a native North American species. It can be propagated by cuttings; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.
Snow Flurry Aster is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Because of its spreading habit of growth, it is ideally suited for use as a 'spiller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the edges where it can spill gracefully over the pot. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.