Swamp Aster (Symphyotrichum puniceum)
sim-fee-oh-TRIK-um puniceum

Deciduous Perennial Upright, Clump-Forming in the Asteraceae Family
 
Buy Swamp Aster
Size Notes Price Availability
Tray of 12 4.5" pots Field

Grower approved but probably not garden center ready. (9/13)

 $93.00 Likely available
1/24 - 4/4

A tall, moisture-loving native aster with purple-tinged stems and clouds of blue-violet, yellow-centered flowers in late summer — ideal for rain gardens, pond edges, and wet meadows.

Symphyotrichum puniceum, commonly called Swamp Aster or Purple-stemmed Aster, is a tall native perennial named for its reddish-purple, bristly stems. It typically grows 6 to 8 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide, with an upright, clump-forming habit and coarse, lance-shaped leaves. From late summer into fall, it bears abundant violet-blue to purple daisy-like flowers with yellow centers, which are a major late-season nectar source for bees, butterflies, and migrating monarchs. True to its name, Swamp Aster is an obligate wetland plant across much of its range and performs best in consistently moist to wet, fertile soil in full to partial sun, making it a good choice for rain gardens, pond and stream margins, and wet meadows where many other asters would struggle.

Pros

  • Vibrant late-season color and pollinator joy when other plants are fading
  • Variety of sizes and colors
  • Several native Asters are available
  • Cold-hardy and reliable in Chicagoland

Cons

  • Can become leggy and flop over in formal gardens without regular pruning or early-season pinching back
  • Short bloom window
  • Needs full sun
  • Some types can self-seed aggressively
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 6 - 8 feet tall. 24 - 36 inches wide.
Sun Exposure Partial Sun - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium - Wet
Zones 2a - 9b (Usually hardy to -50° F)
Tags Deciduous, Fall Color, Fall interest, Full Sun, Illinois Native, Medium, Native to North America, Partial Sun, Perennial, Popular For Fall, Wet
Bloom Period August to September
Flower Color Violet-Blue To Purple With Yellow Centers
 

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Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2024 : 08/15 - 09/08
2023 : 08/24 - 09/10

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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!