Aster Symphyotrichum 'Prairie Purple'
ABOUT
The 'Prairie Purple' is a striking flowering perennial known for its vibrant purple blooms. It boasts a profusion of daisy-like flowers, each with a lively purplish hue and a distinctive yellow center. These blossoms typically present themselves in a dense and generous array, creating a visual feast of color. The petals are slender and slightly elongated, radiating outwards to form the classic composite flower shape so often admired in wildflower gardens. The foliage of the 'Prairie Purple' consists of lance-shaped leaves that are of a rich green color, which provides a lush backdrop to the contrasting purples of the flowers. These leaves are often numerous, covering the stems and creating a full and healthy appearance overall. The growth habit of this plant can be described as upright and bushy, which contributes to its attractiveness in a garden setting. Its branching structure allows for the wide-spreading of its beautiful flowers, making it an effective plant for creating swathes of purple within a planting scheme. In terms of its seasonal progression, the 'Prairie Purple' begins to show its colorful display in late summer and goes on into the fall, helping to provide a continuation of bloom in a garden as the season transitions. The plant's ability to attract pollinators such as butterflies and bees is an added bonus, bringing life and movement to the area it occupies.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Prairie Purple Aster
Common names
Symphyotrichum 'Prairie Purple'.
ToxicityTo humans
Asters, specifically the 'Prairie Purple' variety, are not commonly recognized as toxic to humans. If an individual did ingest parts of the plant, it is unlikely to cause poisoning. However, individuals with sensitivities or allergies may experience mild irritation or discomfort. There is generally no significant risk of severe toxicity or poisoning from this plant for humans under normal circumstances.
To pets
Asters, including the 'Prairie Purple' variety, are typically considered safe for pets and are not known to be toxic to cats, dogs, or other household pets. However, ingestion of the plant in large quantities could potentially cause mild stomach upset or gastrointestinal discomfort. As with any non-food plant, it is best to prevent pets from ingesting asters as a precautionary measure.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Purple
Height
3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 meters)
Spread
1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
3-8
Native area
North America
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Provides nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Adds vibrant purple color and visual interest to gardens and landscapes.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, it can withstand periods of low water availability, reducing the need for frequent irrigation.
- Erosion Control: Its root system helps stabilize soil and prevent erosion.
- Wildlife Habitat: Provides shelter and food for various species of wildlife.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, making it a convenient choice for gardeners.
- Long Blooming: Offers a long season of flowers, typically from late summer to frost, enhancing the garden's appeal for an extended period.
- Versatility: Suitable for a range of settings including borders, wildflower gardens, and prairie restorations.
- Cold Hardy: Can survive and thrive in colder climates, making it a resilient choice for many regions.
- Native Plant: Being a native species, it supports the local ecosystem and is well-adapted to the region's conditions.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Aster fabric dye: The flowers of the aster can be used to create a natural purple dye for textiles.
- Floral crafts: Dried aster flowers can be used to make decorative wreaths, potpourri, or incorporated into pressed flower art.
- Garden photography: Asters, with their vibrant colors, provide an excellent subject for garden photographers, particularly in high-quality macro photography.
- Teaching tool: The aster can be used in educational settings to demonstrate plant biology, pollination, and the life cycle of perennials.
- Artistic inspiration: The rich purple hue of the aster can inspire artists for paintings, drawings, and color schemes in design work.
- Culinary decoration: Edible species of asters can be used to garnish desserts and salads, though it’s essential to ensure the species used are indeed edible and safe for consumption.
- Insect habitat: Planting asters can create a habitat for beneficial insects, including bees and butterflies, contributing to biodiversity conservation.
- Erosion control: The aster's root system can help stabilize soil and prevent erosion in certain settings.
- Companion planting: Asters may be used in companion planting to attract pollinators to vegetable gardens or other crops.
- Markers of seasonal change: Asters typically bloom in late summer to autumn and can be used by gardeners to track and demonstrate the seasonal shifts in a region.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Aster is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Plant Symbolism- Beauty: The vibrant purple hues of the New England aster are often associated with beauty and grace in the plant world.
- Patience: As a plant that blooms later in the season, it can symbolize the virtue of patience and the reward of waiting.
- Remembrance: Asters are commonly used to symbolize remembrance, making them a fitting tribute in memorial gardens or spaces.
- Elegance: The delicate petals and overall structure of the aster convey a sense of refinement and elegance.
- Variety: With many species and varieties available, asters represent diversity and the beauty of variety in nature.
- Wisdom: In some folklore, asters were believed to be a symbol of wisdom and a valued plant in ancient gardens.
WaterFor Prairie Purple asters, it's crucial to maintain consistently moist soil, especially during the blooming season in summer and early fall. Water them deeply once or twice a week, depending on the climate and soil type, but be mindful not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot. Each watering session should provide enough water to soak the soil to a depth of at least an inch. Adjust watering frequency during hot, dry periods by increasing to two or three times per week. Aim for about one gallon of water per square foot every week, and allow the soil to dry out slightly between watering sessions to promote strong root growth.
LightPrairie Purple asters thrive best in full sun, as they need at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Choose an open spot in the garden that receives plenty of light to ensure abundant blooms. If planted in too much shade, they may become leggy and produce fewer flowers, so full sun exposure is ideal for their growth and flowering success.
TemperaturePrairie Purple asters prefer temperate conditions and are hardy in a range from about 40 degrees Fahrenheit to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, which is their ideal temperature range for growth and blooming. These plants can withstand light frosts, but prolonged exposure to temperatures below 20 degrees Fahrenheit could be harmful. They will perform best in garden zones that offer moderate weather, avoiding the extremes of both heat and cold.
PruningPruning Prairie Purple asters is important for maintaining their shape and encouraging vigorous growth. Trim the plants back in late winter or early spring before new growth begins, cutting them down to about 4 to 6 inches above ground level. Additionally, deadhead spent flowers regularly during the blooming season to promote continuous blooms. It's recommended to perform a more thorough pruning once a year.
CleaningNot needed
SoilThe best soil mix for New England Aster 'Prairie Purple' should be well-draining and fertile, with a mixture of loam, peat, and sand. The pH should range from slightly acidic to neutral, around 6.0 to 7.0.
RepottingNew England Aster 'Prairie Purple' typically does not require frequent repotting and can be repotted every 2 to 3 years or when it outgrows its current pot.
Humidity & MistingNew England Aster 'Prairie Purple' is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels and does well in average outdoor humidity.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light and ensure good air circulation.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, ensuring well-draining soil.
Hardiness zone
3-8 USDA
Life cycleThe Symphyotrichum 'Prairie Purple', commonly known as the Prairie Purple aster, begins its life cycle as a seed, which is typically sown in well-drained soil in the spring. Germination follows, with the young seedlings emerging from the soil as they rely on the warmth and moisture present in their environment. The plant then enters a vegetative growth stage, developing a rosette of leaves at the soil surface and establishing a root system to support future growth. As the aster matures, it undergoes a period of rapid growth and begins to produce tall flowering stems in late summer to early autumn, adorned with distinctive purple daisy-like flowers with yellow centers. After pollination by insects, the flowers develop into small dry fruits called achenes that contain seeds, which are dispersed by wind or wildlife to propagate the next generation. Finally, the plant goes dormant in winter, with the aerial parts dying back while the root system remains alive to regenerate the next spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Late summer to early fall
The Symphyotrichum 'Prairie Purple', commonly known as Prairie Purple Aster, can be propagated by seed, division, or cuttings, but the most popular method is division. This is typically done in either early spring or late autumn. To propagate by division, carefully dig up the clump of asters, ensuring you get a good amount of root. Then, gently pull apart the clump into smaller clumps, making sure each new piece has several shoots and a portion of the root system. These new divisions can then be replanted in the ground, spaced about 1 to 3 feet apart to allow for growth and adequate air circulation. Water the newly planted divisions adequately to help establish them. Over time, they will grow into full-sized plants and can be divided again, perpetuating the cycle.
