Calico Aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum) is a pale purple perennial flower that can group up to five feet and branching. Plant it in full sun to part shade in well-drained clay to loamy sand. Clusters of flowers blooms in the fall provides an abundance of nectar for a variety of insects including bumble bees, miner bees, sweat bees, hoverflies and wasps. It is also the larval host for the Isabella Tiger moth, Green Owlet moth, Pearl Crescent and Silvery Checkerspot butterflies. This plant seeds readily and spreads.
/mp