How much sun does Douglas aster need?

Douglas aster grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Douglas aster bloom?

Douglas aster blooms in August, September, and October.

Where is Douglas aster native?

Douglas aster (Symphyotrichum subspicatum) is native to CA, ID, MT, OR and 1 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What butterflies or moths does Douglas aster host?

Douglas aster is a larval host plant for pearl crescent.

Douglas aster

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Symphyotrichum subspicatum

Last reviewed: October 2026

Douglas aster (Symphyotrichum subspicatum) is a perennial forb native to CA, ID, MT, OR and 1 more states. It blooms in August, September, and October. The flowers draw bees and butterflies.

Toxicity unknown

Douglas aster (Symphyotrichum subspicatum) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

12"–36" H × 18"–30" W

Bloom

Aug, Sep, Oct

Native to

CA, ID, MT, OR and 1 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Before you buy

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Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 458 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley North American Deserts Northwestern Great Plains

A rhizomatous fall-blooming aster with narrow leaves and abundant small violet-blue daisy flowers with yellow centers. Spreads gradually into loose colonies along roadsides, meadows, and coastal grassland.

Growing Douglas aster

Grow Douglas aster in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 12 to 36 inches tall and spread 18 to 30 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Host plant for pearl crescent.

A key late-season nectar source for bees and butterflies, and the foliage hosts pearl crescent caterpillars.

Common questions

How much sun does Douglas aster need?: Douglas aster grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Douglas aster bloom?: Douglas aster blooms in August, September, and October.
Where is Douglas aster native?: Douglas aster (Symphyotrichum subspicatum) is native to CA, ID, MT, OR and 1 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What butterflies or moths does Douglas aster host?: Douglas aster is a larval host plant for pearl crescent.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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