woodland wildflower
Silky aster
Symphyotrichum sericeum
Also known as Western Silver Aster, Western Silver American-aster
Native to the Great Plains and the Midwest and southern Canada
Northern Michigan to southern Manitoba, south to Tennessee, Arkansas, and eastern Texas
- Light Full sun to part shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Dry Moisture preference
- Zones 3–9 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Sep–Oct Flowering time
- Height up to 2 ft to 0.6 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland wildflower for full sun to part shade and lean, dry soil. At up to 2 ft, it suits shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 3–9.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
Pollinators & wildlife
- Butterflies American Copper
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
- Gorgone checkerspotcaterpillar host
- Pearl crescentcaterpillar host
- Silvery checkerspotcaterpillar host
- American coppernectar
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- The Great Plains and the Midwest and southern CanadaUnited States (16): AR, IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, OK, SD, TN, TX, WI. Canada (2): MB, ON. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Northern Michigan to southern Manitoba, south to Tennessee, Arkansas, and eastern TexasThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full sun to part shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- DryThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–9 · Canadian 3–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Dry soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 2 ft (to 0.6 m)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Sep–OctWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- Pink, Blue, PurpleThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- AcheneThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.