Symphyotrichum bracteolatum, commonly known as Eaton’s aster, is a perennial herb that is native to western North America, but it is more accurately found in moist meadows, along streams, and in open forest clearings. Its range includes British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and extends through the western United States to California, the Rocky Mountains, Arizona, and New Mexico. Eaton’s aster typically reaches 1-3 feet in height and has lance-shaped leaves. From late summer to fall, it produces inflorescences with white to pink ray florets surrounding yellow disk florets, which are attractive to pollinators such as butterflies and bees.

Eaton’s aster is valued for its late-season blooms, which provide color when many other flowers have finished blooming. It is used in naturalistic plantings, wildflower gardens, and as a border plant. This aster prefers full sun to part shade, moist but well-drained soils, and is relatively low maintenance. While it is not known for particular diseases, it can be susceptible to powdery mildew in humid conditions. There are no widely recognized cultivars of this species, but its natural form is well-suited to garden use. Gardeners should be aware that, like many asters, it can spread through rhizomes and may require control to prevent it from becoming too aggressive in small garden spaces.CC BY-SA 4.0