Water Wise Plants

sim-fee-OT-ri-koom chi-LEN-see

California Aster (Pacifc Aster)

Perennial

3 ft (0.9 m) wide x 1.3 - 3.3 ft. (0.4 - 1 m) tall

Low: water every three weeks until the root ball is wet

Full to half sun

Blue, Lavender, Yellow

Pacific aster or California aster is native to western North America from British Columbia to California, where it grows in many types of habitat, especially along the coast and in the coastal mountain ranges. In California it is concentrated in the central coast region. It was formerly classified as Aster chilensis and some sources may still refer to it by that name. Despite its Latin name, it does not occur in Chile. This perennial herb grows to heights between 40 centimeters and one meter. The hairy leaves are narrowly oval-shaped, pointed, and sometimes finely serrated along the edges. The flower cluster holds aster flower heads with centers of yellow disc florets and fringes of many narrow light purple ray florets. Great for a butterfly garden.