Climbing aster
Symphyotrichum carolinianum
Asteraceae


Landscape Uses:

Primarily recommended for natural landscapes and habitat restorations. Also uselful in wet spots where it can climb into trees.

Ecological Restoration Notes:

A relatively common vine in freshwater swamps.
Availability:
Grown by one or two native plant nurseries in South Florida.
Description:
Climbing or sprawling vine or shrub-like wildflower.
Height:
N/A; a vine with stem to 10 feet or more in length.
Growth Rate:
Fast.
Range:
Southeastern United States south to Miami-Dade County and the Monroe County mainland.
Habitats:
Swamps and wet thickets.
Soils:
Wet to moist, moderately well-drained to poorly-drained organic or sandy soils, with humusy top layer.
Nutritional Requirements:
Moderate; can grow in nutrient poor soils, but needs some organic content to thrive.
Salt Water Tolerance:
Low; does not tolerate flooding by salt or brackish water.
Salt Wind Tolerance:
Low; salt wind may burn the leaves.
Drought Tolerance:
Low; requires moist to wet soils and is intolerant of long periods of drought.
Light Requirements:
Full sun.
Flower Color:
Lavender to bluish ray flowers.
Flower Characteristics:
Showy.
Flowering Season:
All year; peak in fall.
Fruit:
Inconspicuous achene.
Wildlife and Ecology:
Nectar plant for bees, as well as monarchs (Danaus plexippus) and other butterflies.
Horticultural Notes:
Can be grown from seed obtained from dried flower heads, which are broken up. Seeds can be planted or sprinkled onto the soil. Keep moist.
Comments:
A beautiful if unorthodox component of the garden; it can be trimmed back heavily to keep the plant in control. See also the Florida Wildflower Foundation's Flower Friday page.


Chuck McCartney
Chuck McCartney
Roger L. Hammer