{"product_id":"symphyotrichum-ericoides-heath-aster","title":"Symphyotrichum ericoides (Heath Aster)","description":"\u003cp\u003eA confirmed deer-resistant, drought-tolerant late bloomer, heath aster is a documented larval host for the Pearl Crescent butterfly and supports seven specifically named specialist bee species - though it's worth knowing that the variety S. ericoides var. ericoides has its own official New Jersey Rare Plant Profile, a meaningful conservation detail for New Jersey-bound plantings.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecies Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSymphyotrichum ericoides, commonly called heath or white heath aster, is a bushy perennial wildflower growing up to 2 feet tall, with numerous short, needle-like leaves that give the plant a heath-like appearance. Small, daisy-like white flowerheads with yellow centers bloom profusely along the stems in late summer and early fall.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApplication\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDry, poor-soil, and rocky restoration - drought-tolerant late bloomer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLarval host habitat for the Pearl Crescent butterfly\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpecialist bee habitat - seven named Andrena and Colletes species\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDeer-pressured meadow and prairie restoration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing Conditions \/ Specification Data\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full Sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\/Moisture Tolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dry to average, well-drained soils; tolerates rocky and poor soil\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDrought Tolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e High\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlood Tolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low - A dry, sun-loving aster, consistent with this species' already-confirmed habitat profile from earlier work.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Forb\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Height:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1-2 ft.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall Color:\u003c\/strong\u003e Insignificant\/None\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Color \/ Period:\u003c\/strong\u003e White; August-October\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWetland Indicator Status:\u003c\/strong\u003e NI (No Indicator) - see flags\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNative Range:\u003c\/strong\u003e Northeast\/Mid-Atlantic (full list)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHydrology:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dry-Mesic\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoot Depth:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shallow (Under 12 in.)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSalinity Tolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rapid\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShade Tolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Intolerant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Habit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spreading - rhizomatous\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Hardiness Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3-8\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDeer Resistance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes (Rarely Damaged)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePollinator Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e Larval host, supports bees, supports specialist\/oligolectic bees, supports butterflies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Guidance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIMPORTANT:\u003c\/strong\u003e the variety Symphyotrichum ericoides var. ericoides has its own official New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Rare Plant Profile - worth conservation awareness for New Jersey-specific sourcing. Spreads by rhizome and self-seeds readily; can be aggressive and may need staking in plantings without much surrounding vegetation for support.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Pinelands Nursery","offers":[{"title":"50 Cell 2\" Plug","offer_id":48941154467911,"sku":"SYM-ERI 50CELL","price":82.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0675\/1649\/7991\/files\/heathaster.jpg?v=1790627194","url":"https:\/\/www.pinelandsnursery.com\/products\/symphyotrichum-ericoides-heath-aster","provider":"Pinelands Nursery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}