Short's Aster

About Short's Aster

Short's Aster is a graceful woodland native that brings a soft, ethereal glow to the autumn forest floor with its mist-like display of violet-blue blooms. This perennial typically grows two to four feet tall, forming an upright, branching clump of slender stems and smooth, heart-shaped lower leaves. From late August through October, it is covered in hundreds of small, daisy-like flowers that create a beautiful blue to violet haze in shaded landscapes. Native to the central and eastern United States, it is most commonly found in dry to medium-dry upland woods and savannas. Unlike many other asters that require full sun, Short's Aster is perfectly adapted to partial shade and can even thrive in deeper shade, making it an invaluable asset for woodland gardens. It provides essential late-season nectar for a variety of bees and butterflies, supporting local wildlife as the temperatures begin to drop. It is a hardy and drought-tolerant species that prefers well-drained soils and requires very little maintenance once established. For best germination, seeds should be surface-sown in the fall or given a period of cold-moist stratification.