Symphyotrichum elliottii

Common Names

Elliott's Aster, Southern Swamp Aster

Summary

Elliott's Aster (Symphyotrichum elliottii) is a long‑lived perennial native to the southeastern United States, occupying wetlands such as swamps, marshes, ditches, and wet flatwoods. It bears lavender to pink ray florets with yellow disk florets and linear to lanceolate leaves with finely serrated margins; plants typically reach about 3–5 feet tall and spread by rhizomes, sometimes producing suckers. Flowers attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators from summer into fall.

It prefers full sun and moist to wet soils and is not salt-tolerant. Suitable for moist wildflower, rain, or native gardens, it should be given space due to clonal growth; propagation is by seed or division. Hardy in warm zones roughly 8a–10a and native to Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

2-6 feet

Spread

24-36 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 8a-11a

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full Sun, tolerates partial sun.

Soil Type

Moist to wet soil, across textures from sandy to clay, typical of marshes, swamps, bogs, and tidal freshwater wetlands

Soil Drainage

Moist to wet soils

Soil pH

4.5-8.0

Bloom Color

Purple/Lavender

Bloom Time

Fall

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

Fall, Summer, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds and Division

Attracts Wildlife

Bees, Butterflies, Other pollinators