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

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

Pollinator very friendly and black walnut tolerant.

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 toleranrt
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.

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

Picture copyright : Chicago Botanic Garden

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 well on the edges or around boulders where you can admire the cascading habitus.

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.