Bushy Aster
Symphyotrichum dumosum
Last reviewed: July 2026
Light
full sun
Water
medium
Size
12"–36" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Aug, Sep, Oct
Native to
AL, AR, CT, DE and 27 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies, moths
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Bushy aster is a compact native perennial that produces masses of small white or pale lavender daisy-like flowers from late summer through fall. This well-behaved native maintains a tidy, rounded form and provides reliable late-season color when many other plants are fading.
In an HOA neighborhood
Bushy Aster is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.
- May self-seed in ideal conditions
Wildlife value
Host plant for pearl crescent butterfly.
The abundant small flowers are magnets for bees, butterflies, and moths during the crucial late-season nectar period. This plant is especially valuable for migrating monarch butterflies in fall.
Common questions
- How much sun does Bushy Aster need?
- Bushy Aster grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Bushy Aster bloom?
- Bushy Aster blooms in August, September, and October.
- Where is Bushy Aster native?
- Bushy Aster (Symphyotrichum dumosum) is native to AL, AR, CT, DE and 27 more states, per the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists.
- What butterflies or moths does Bushy Aster host?
- Bushy Aster is a larval host plant for pearl crescent butterfly.
- Is Bushy Aster HOA-friendly?
- Bushy Aster is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Ready to grow Bushy Aster? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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