Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Wildflower Wednesday: "Frosty" Blooms

Once again it's time for Wildflower Wednesday, a meme created and hosted by the champion of native plants, Gail at Clay and Limestone.  Unless I dip into the archives this winter, this may be the last WW post for me for awhile as the temperature is supposed to dip below freezing the next few nights, meaning an end to any wildflowers locally until spring.


What better way to end the wildflower season then but with the appropriately named Frost Aster.  My last Wildflower post featured pokeberry, but I also included a photo of an unidentified tall aster growing next to the pokeberry.  Mr. McGregor's Daughter suggested it might be a Hairy Aster.  Now I have a hard time telling one aster from another, but after looking at the plant more carefully and researching it in my two favorite sources,  I am 99% sure that this is what I have growing in many places around the farm.


Aster pilosus is a widely branched, spreading aster with tiny white flowers about 1/2" wide.  The flowers have 15-30 ray florets and a central yellow disk, distinguishing it from other types of asters.  Another distinguishing feature are the tiny white hairs on the stems, which is no doubt where it gets its name.  In Illinois Wildflowers, author Don Kurz calls this a "Hairy Aster," but the website Illinois Wildflowers calls this a "Frost Aster."   Frankly, I think "Frost Aster" sounds much more appealing, don't you?


Deer sometimes eat the leaves, stems, and flowerheads of this plant, while songbirds enjoy the seeds.  But it is most attractive to insects, particularly most species of bees as well as to some butterflies.  The caterpillars of various butterflies and moths, including the Pearl Crescent, feed on the foliage.  Because the Frost Aster is one of the last plants to remain in bloom before a heavy frost, it is an important source of nectar for many of these insects.  Yesterday the blooms were full of bumblebees and other types of bees, though the photo above was the only one I managed to get in focus, and unfortunately, all you can see of a bee is a black spot in the middle of it.


Aster pilosus is common throughout the state of Illinois and is not fussy about soil, thriving just about anywhere.  Both sources say it will grow up to 3 feet tall, but a few of my plants are twice that height.  I thought this quote from the website was interesting:

"This plant can be quite attractive because it is often covered with small white flowers during the fall, helping to extend the season of bloom in wildflower gardens and elsewhere. People often pull it out of their flowerbeds without realizing what it is, and instead attempt to grow exotic flowers that wither away into nothing under the hot Midwestern sun, unless they receive constant water, fertilizer, and attention. The Frost Aster, on the other hand, flourishes without any special treatment."


This is not a plant for everyone, however, especially if you don't have a large garden area.  Yes, it's a pretty plant in the fall with its frothy white blooms, but until fall quite frankly it looks like a weed.  All summer long I  looked at the area above and wondered what was growing here.  I debated about cutting this all down, sure they were weeds, but I didn't want to disturb the goldenrod that usually blooms here, too, and well, it was in the back out of sight and there was so much else to do in the garden that I let it go.  Next year I might be a little more ambitious and cut this all down, but considering it's a prolific self-seeder, I'm sure there will still be some Frost Asters hiding out in the back, keeping the bees happy until winter arrives.

To learn about other wildflowers, be sure to visit Gail today, and why not join us for Wildflower Wednesday?


28 comments:

  1. Great information on this little aster that is often overlooked as a weed. It reminds me of the saying "May all your weeds be wildflowers".

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  2. I have one of those white wildlings in my front flower bed. I will have to look at it later to see if it is one of these. I often wonder how those white asters get into the garden. You have confirmed my suspicion that birds plant them. Happy Wildflower Wednesday.

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  3. I love the name! It looks like a very pretty wildflower and sounds like it attracts lots of wildlife.

    It is always nice to have something of interest at this time of year and the aster family certainly fit the bill.

    I am amazed it can be over 6 feet tall...that is tall! As far as I know none of the asters which grow here reach more than 3 feet.

    An interesting and informative post, Rose which I have enjoyed :)

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  4. I'm glad I do have the space for this weedy beauty, as it's blooming when a lot of other stuff has gone by - lots of good info - Thanks!

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  5. Dear Rose, you have done a great service to gardenkind with the featuring of this lovely wildflower. We have several white asters that I cannot identify. They used to be pulled as weeds, but now many are cut down in May to flower at a shorter stature in the fall. They seem more civilized that way. I like the name frost aster better too. :-)
    Frances

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  6. I think the name of it is definitely appropriate.

    I have a few little wild asters blooming right now.

    Hope you have a great day Rose.

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  7. Rose, I so like Frost better then Hairy! I was going to say what Frances said, but, she said it better! If you have a spot that you don't mind letting them have their way, the wild asters will make a wonderful show. I've planted amsonias,false dragonhead, tartar aster and other wildflowers with them so they aren't SO much a weedy patch! I love that you are a wildflower enthusiast, too! gail ps I'll be visiting the archives, too for more wildflower posts!

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  8. Thanks for a great post, I believe the asters growing along the street are your Frost Aster. Nice to get an ID!

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  9. Ooh, I like it. It's airy and pretty. My kind of plant. Thanks for the info on this pretty native.~~Dee

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  10. The bees are loving the Frost Asters here too. I probably pull some of it out weeding during the year, but then I always like it when it blooms. It's the perfect filler plant when it stays low.

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  11. Our Asters are just finished so thanks for sharing yours. I actually named a character in my YA novel for the bloom. Wildflower or weed – it all is in the mind’s eye.

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  12. I agree "frost aster" is the better name...it may be weedy but it looks very nice!

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  13. Frost aster certainly is appropriate little name for this charming plant Rose and I'm sure you're glad you didn't pull it all out earlier in the season as it must brighten up that part of the garden just now.

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  14. It sure is a pretty weed Rose. :) I'm sure it will linger even if you cut it back if it is such a prolific reseeder.

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  15. Isn't that perfect - a frost aster that blooms just as the frost is moving into your region. It's very sweet. Looks like we'll be looking for seedy remains in the months to come. Let's hope we don't get too much snow! Barbarapc

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  16. As you well know, Rose, wildflower/weed, all in the eyes of the beholder and it looks like you have a grand spot to showcase Frost Aster ... very pretty.

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  17. Well I'm glad you didn't pull up your little aster. I've been worrying about my bees because there's not much left for them. If only the aster I have hadn't gotten attached by aster lace bugs, I'd have plenty of blooms for them.

    I remember being very enchanted with the number of wildflowers growing in Illinois the last few times we've driven through there. How lucky you are!

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  18. I do love the old fashioned names, so it's Frost Aster to me. It looks lovely. Just like a big frosty cloud. Snowflakes of Asters before the real thing comes. Sorry--I imagine you are not looking forward to snow in the least. We are still experiencing 90's in the afternoons, and cold crisp frosty mornings sound like heaven to me. I do hope the weather stays warm for you to enjoy Frost Aster as long as possible.

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  19. Love the asters, whether they're wild or domesticated. They're starting to wrap up here, but they've been spectacular. Now we're settling in to the 'last of the blooms' period, outdoors at least.

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  20. It has quite a wild growing habit that it is reminiscent of baby's breath to me. I think may have some of this in the field near by house. Now I know what it is!
    Thanks
    Rosey

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  21. Hi Rose, I like the frost aster and it's wild habit but then I am a wild woman at heart. I especialy like the fact, that it is blooming late in the year to keep insects happy.

    There has obviously been a heavy frost while I have been away from home. Many plants are frost damaged, and everything is looking a little sad. I am sure if I make a more detailed search tomorrow I shall find some blooms......

    BTW have you received the book yet? I do hope so, as it has been several weeks since I posted it to you. If you have I hope that you are finding it useful and good reading.

    Have a happy and peaceful weekend.

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  22. We used to have asters (michaelmas daisies) in our garden when I was little. I didn't appreciate them at the time but do now.

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  23. Hi Rose,
    I like your frost aster. It's fun to see how loaded with blooms and bees they get. I've had trouble getting a group of bees in focus, too.

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  24. I love frost aster. We have it all over the place, including, as it turns out, a part of my front garden I rarely see. :)

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  25. Rose girl ! I have white asters that refuse to leave .. I wonder what I said to them ? LOL
    I love your header picture .. that has to be new since I was here last?
    Happy Halloween .. and .. just to make you laugh , ... it has snowed here today .. so I think I am ahead of you on that count ? .. plus that box of bulbs is still sitting here .. the last impetuous indulgence I couldn't resist .. plus the company appreciated the late business enough to put 70 snow crocus in as a bonus !! eeekkk ! LOL
    We are all looking towards next year already aren't we ? : )
    Joy

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  26. Such a pretty little aster Rose! Thank goodness for our prolific late-blooming natives.

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  27. Thanks for visiting, everyone! Rather than replying to each comment this time, I've been off traipsing through other people's wildflowers:) Hope you will all join in for next month's meeting.

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