Symphyotrichum ericoides
Family: Compositae
Common name: HEATH ASTER
Synonym: Aster ericoides
Native to: Central United States, Eastern United States
Sentiment: patience
Plant
Type: perennial
Forms: clumping, erect
Max height: 3.3 feet
Max width: 1 foot
Flower
secondary color present, white/off white
Leaf
green
Horticulture
Attracts wildlife: adult butterfly, bird, specific butterfly species
Plant part consumed by birds: seeds
Plant features: naturalizes
Exposure: sun
Landscape use: container
Propagates by: cutting, division, seed
flowers in fall
flowers in summer
Soil type: loam
USDA Zones: zone 3 -40 f, zone 4 -30 f, zone 5 to -20 f, zone 6 to -10 f, zone 7 to 0 f, zone 8 to +10 f, zone 9 to +20 f
Temp. range: -40 to +30 °F
Water: regular
Butterflies that feed on this plant
There are 143 Symphyotrichum, or ASTER, a member of the Compositae (Aster) family family. Three perennials are cultivated: Symphyotrichum ericoides, lateriflium, and novae-angeliae. Each of these prefers regular water and attracts birds, butterflies, and bees. They offer a lot of versatility for the gardener as they flower in fall, grow in Zones 2-9, can be propagated by seed, cutting, or division, and grow to 3 ½ to 5 feet tall.
Symphyotrichum ericoides grows in Zones 3-9, 3.3' high x 1' wide, and white flowers bloom in summer and fall. It can naturalize, and be cultivated by cutting division or seed. The leaf is simple, alternate, green, lanceolate, linear, and has a pointed tip. It is native to central and eastern United States. Grow it in sun, in good soil, and try it in a container. It prefers regular water.
Numerous butterflies, listed on the left, are attracted to Compositae and include including:
Agraulis vanillae, Gulf Fritillary
Apodemia mormo, Mormon Metalmark
Callophrys nelsoni, Nelson's Hairstreak
Container plants that attract adult butterflies - perennial
This plant can be grown in a container and will attract and feed adult butterflies. These plant can be found in every height range – from tiny to large – from less than a foot high to over 10 feet tall.
Our database of nectar plants for all US butterflies contains over 10,000 entries. The top five nectar plants -- Cirsium, Lantana, Asclepias, Salvia, and Verbena -- will appeal to 90% of all US butterflies. Pick from these if you want to provide nectar for your local butterflies.
Once you start with these, you can add from another 630 genera in 110 plant families to attract more insects to your garden.
By far the most import butterfly nectar plant family is Asteraceae. If you grow plants in from this family, butterflies will find your garden.
