Aster ericoides 'Bridal Veil' (Symphyotrichum) - HEATH ASTER 'BRIDAL VEIL'

A unique form of Heath Aster with cascading, very densely branched stems completely covered in small, bridal white flowers that bloom late in the season. Forms wide, nearly groundcovering mounds.

Great pollinator plant!

Blooming Time: early to mid fall (August-September)
Size: 24" tall x 24-48" wide, in time forms clumps much wider than taller.
USDA Zones: 5 to 8
Culture: full sun is the best, tolerates half shade. Adaptable to variety of soils - average, loam, sandy, gravelly, clay, grows well in poor soils too. Adapts to most pH.
Moisture Needs: average (medium), medium-dry, dry. Established plants are drought tolerant
Origin: "Bridal Veil’ was the first aster cultivar developed by Jim Ault, Ph.D., resulting from a cross made in 2002 using heath aster (Symphyotrichum ericoides) as the seed parent. While intended to be an interspecific cross, ‘Bridal Veil’ shows no traits correlating to other putative parent species and is therefore likely a straight S. ericoides cultivar." Plants Nouveau

The parent species - Aster ericoides is native to majority of USA, see the BONAP distribution map. Can be found on mesic to dry uplnad priaries, black soil; prairies, thickets, old field, in the woodland edges, upland prairies, road side, clearings. Black Walnut Tolerant: yes
Deer/Rabbit Resistant: no / no - both can nibble on the leaves (just like any domestic herbivore animals)
Attracts Butterflies or Pollinators: yes / yes. Flowers attract large variety of insects  = variety of bees, wasps, flies, butterflies.
Attracts Hummingbirds: no
Pot Size: square 3.5" x 4" deep perennial pot
Plant combinations: Looks very good in sunny borders, prairies, naturalized areas, butterfly gardens, pollinator gardens, monarch gardens or on dry edges of rain gardens. Looks good on the edges or around boulders where you can admire its cascading habit.

Probably best planted as scattered individual plants.

It pairs well with these native perennials: Antennaria, other Aster (A. oblongifolius, A. laevis, A. oolentangiensis), Amorpha, Amsonia, Anaphallis margaritacea, Baptisia, Callirhoe, Coreopsis, Dalea, Echinacea, Eryngium yuccifolium, Liatris, Oenothera, most Rudbeckias, Silphium laciniatum, Verbena stricta and grasses like Andropogon, Boutelloua, Koeleria, Panicum, Schizachyrium or Sporobolus. Or combine with other perennials like Agapanthus, Calamintha nepeta, Eryngium, Geraniums, Lavandula, Nepeta, Perovskia, Salvia nemorosa (S. x sylvestris), Salvia nemorosa cultivars, Veronica spicata or Verbena bonariensis.

Picture copyright : Chicago Botanic Garden