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Silky Aster
Symphyotrichum sericeum

The leaves of Silky Aster are densely covered in soft hairs that are indeed silky to the touch.

USDA symbol: SYSE2

General Information

Plant TypeForb
Height2 feet
Light ExposureSun
Soil MoistureDry, Medium
Bloom ColorYellow, Purple, Pink
Silky Aster (Silky Aster<div><em class="small">Symphyotrichum sericeum</em></div>)
Photo credit: United States Department of Agriculture (Click to enlarge)

Tolerances

Flooding / Inundation ToleranceLow
General Resilience6
Salt ToleranceMedium
Stress ToleranceDrought Tolerant, General Disturbance

Pollinator Value: Medium

Bloom MonthsAugust to September
Larval Host ofBees
Specific Pollinators HostedNumerous bee species
Pollinator BenefitInsect Pollinated, Provides Nectar, Stem Nesting, Supports Generalists

Project Planning

Project TypeBoulevard, Rain Garden, Shoreline Buffer
Coefficient of Conservatism9
Herbivore SensitivityMedium
LifespanPerennial
Rate of SpreadSlow
Soil StabilizationShallow
Vegetative ReproductionClonal

Range

CountyAnoka, Becker, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Cottonwood, Dakota, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, McLeod, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Roseau, Sherburne, Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Washington, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine
EcoregionDriftless Area, Lake Agassiz Plain, North Central Hardwood Forests, Northern Glaciated Plains, Northern Lakes and Forests, Northern Minnesota Wetlands, Western Cornbelt Plains
Approximate Eco ProvinceEastern Broadleaf Forest, Laurentian Mixed Forest, Prairie Parkland, Tallgrass Aspen Parklands