Illinois Native Plant Guide

Panicled Aster
Aster lanceolatus  (A. simplex)

Preferred Water Depth and Inundation Tolerance

Prefers moist to saturated soil. Germinating seedlings are killed by 2 days of inundation. Mature plants can tolerate short periods of shallow flooding. Panicled Aster is more tolerant of inundation than New England Aster.

Wildlife Value

Provides waterfowl cover.

Application/Zone

Used in upper shoreline zone and as upland slope buffer stabilization. Also used in vegetated swales.

Availability, Establishment, and Maintenance

• Transplants, achenes, and rootstocks are available from several commercial vendors.
• Moist stratification benefits germination of achenes, but this cold treatment may not be required.
• Drill or broadcast achenes in the fall and cover them lightly with soil.
• Mature plants may be divided in the late fall or early spring.
• Most Asters studied germinate readily at 70o F.
• Can be very weedy and aggressive.

Panicled Aster
Aster lanceolatus  (A. simplex)

Mature Height
2-4 feet

Plant Type
Perennial herb

Indicator Status
Facultative Wet

pH
Not available

Nutrient Load Tolerance
Moderate

Salt Tolerance
Moderate

Siltation Tolerance
High

Flowering Color and Time
White
August to September

Light Preference
Partial to full sun

Seeding Rate
.06 lbs/acre

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