Symphyotrichum georgianum

Latin name: Symphyotrichum georgianum
Common name: Georgia Aster
Flowers: Purple, violet, blooms in Oct/Nov¹⁰ 2 inches wide¹⁹ 
Fruit: Dry,seed-like, hairy, less than 1/8 inch long²⁰
Height & Width: 1 – 3 feet¹⁰
Type: Herbaceous perennial¹⁰ 
Habit: Clump forming¹⁹
Wetland indicator category: UPL²⁰
SC regions include (1) Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains & (2) Eastern Mountain Piedmont

Texture: Coarse²⁰Growth rate: Fast¹⁹
Light: Full sun¹⁹
Moisture: Drought tolerant once established¹⁹
Soil: Average, well drained, moderately acidic to alkaline¹⁹
Zones: 3 to 9¹²
Origin: NC, SC, GA, AL, LA, FL¹⁶ 
Ecosystem benefits: Pollinated by bees and butterflies, food for deer¹⁹
Features: The vivid blue-purple blooms will brighten the landscape in fall. This small easy maintenance perennial will attract butterflies.¹⁹

Siting: This plant needs full sun, well drained alkaline soils. It goes well in perennial borders or native meadow gardens.¹⁹

Care: Plant crown at soil level¹⁸. At planting, water the roots and surrounding area slowly and deeply. Keep soil moist until plant is established, then apply enough water to thoroughly moisten the root zone when the soil is dry or during drought. Modify water recommendations to reflect site drainage and rainfall. Apply 3” of mulch over the planted area. Do not allow mulch to touch the plant stems¹⁸. Cutting back about 50% in mid-summer will control height and produce more erect stems.¹⁹

Pests: No serious pest problems. However it is a threatened species due to recent fire suppression and subsequent shading out by hardwood trees and other species¹⁹. Plants are relatively pest resistant if cultural preferences are met.

This plant does not appear on the following invasive plant lists on (February 15, 2016):

•  USDA SC Invasive Plant Species Web site at http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/plants/main.shtml
•  SC Exotic Plant Pest Council Web site at http://www.se-eppc.org/southcarolina/

Sources:

Sources 1-18 found on Sources page

Image sources:

http://www.mtcubacenter.org/images/plant-finder/Symphyotrichum_georgianum_1.JPG

http://gnps.org/GNPSv2/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2015_Symphyotrichum_georgianum_01.jpg 

19. Georgia Native Plant Society. (2015) Georgia aster (Symphyotrichum georgianum). Retrieved from
http://gnps.org/plants/georgia-aster-symphyotrichum-georgianum/ 

20. Georgia Wildlife. (n/d) Symphyotrichum georgianum. Retrieved from: http://georgiawildlife.com/sites/default/files/uploads/wildlife/nongame/pdf/accounts/plants/symphyotrichum_georgianum.pdf