Long-Leaved Or Intermountain Or Western Aster
Symphyotrichum ascendens
Last reviewed: August 2026
Toxicity unknown
Long-Leaved Or Intermountain Or Western Aster (Symphyotrichum ascendens) 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 × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Jul, Aug, Sep
Native to
AZ, CA, CO, ID and 8 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaPicture natives in your own yard
Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Long-Leaved Or Intermountain Or Western Aster.
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Western aromatic aster produces clusters of small white to pale purple daisy-like flowers from summer through fall. This compact native perennial forms neat clumps with narrow gray-green leaves and maintains a tidy appearance throughout the growing season.
In an HOA neighborhood
Long-Leaved Or Intermountain Or Western 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 look sparse in early spring before full growth
Wildlife value
The late-season blooms provide crucial nectar for bees and butterflies when few other flowers are available. Seeds also feed small birds in fall and winter.
Common questions
- How much sun does Long-Leaved Or Intermountain Or Western Aster need?
- Long-Leaved Or Intermountain Or Western Aster grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Long-Leaved Or Intermountain Or Western Aster bloom?
- Long-Leaved Or Intermountain Or Western Aster blooms in July, August, and September.
- Where is Long-Leaved Or Intermountain Or Western Aster native?
- Long-Leaved Or Intermountain Or Western Aster (Symphyotrichum ascendens) is native to AZ, CA, CO, ID and 8 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Long-Leaved Or Intermountain Or Western Aster attract?
- Long-Leaved Or Intermountain Or Western Aster draws bees and butterflies.
- Is Long-Leaved Or Intermountain Or Western Aster HOA-friendly?
- Long-Leaved Or Intermountain Or Western Aster is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. 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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Long-Leaved Or Intermountain Or Western Aster? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.