Order Now · Ships Spring 2026
Symphyotrichum chilense (California Aster)
Symphyotrichum chilense (California Aster)
Native California aster · Soft pastel flowers · Long bloom season · Perfect for pollinator & meadow gardens
📦 Shipping is charged at real carrier rates.We don’t mark up shipping—costs reflect distance from our nursery and careful plant packing.
🌱 6-plant minimum per order — mix & match any varieties
📦 Ships in a 2⅜” square x 3¾” deep band pot — well-rooted & ready to plant
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California aster, also known as Pacific aster, is a long-blooming native perennial valued for its adaptability, extended season of color, and strong pollinator support. Upright stems carry open, daisy-like flowers in soft shades of violet, pink, and pale white, each centered with a bright yellow disc.
Blooming from early summer well into fall, this species provides reliable nectar over many months—making it especially useful in pollinator gardens and restoration plantings. Butterflies are frequent visitors, and the open flower form is accessible to a wide range of native insects.
California aster thrives in full sun and tolerates drier conditions once established, making it well suited to meadow gardens, native landscapes, and prairie-style plantings. Its flexible height and natural form allow it to blend easily with grasses and other native perennials.
WHY GARDENERS LOVE IT
- Native California perennial
- Long bloom season from summer to fall
- Soft violet, pink, and pale white flowers
- Excellent butterfly and pollinator plant
- Adaptable to drier conditions
- Ideal for natural and restoration plantings
HOW IT GROWS
- Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
- Sun: Full sun
- Soil: Well-drained to average soil
- Water: Regular during establishment; tolerant of drier conditions once established
- Hardiness: USDA Zones 6–10
- Growth habit: Upright, clumping to lightly spreading
SIZE & BLOOM
- Height × Spread: ~1–4 ft. × 1.5 ft.
- Flower color: Violet, pink, pale white
- Center: Bright yellow
- Bloom time: Summer through fall (June–October)
- Wildlife: Butterflies, pollinators
PLANTING TIPS
- Plant in full sun for best flowering
- Space to allow airflow and natural form
- Mix well with native grasses and perennials
- Water regularly the first season
CARE MADE EASY
- Cut back in late fall or early spring
- Low maintenance once established
- Can be divided every few years if desired
- Performs well without fertilization
BEST USES
- Pollinator gardens
- Native plant gardens
- Meadow and prairie plantings
- Restoration landscapes
- Naturalized borders
HOW TO KNOW IT’S RIGHT FOR YOU
Choose California aster if you:
- Garden for pollinators and butterflies
- Want long-lasting summer-to-fall bloom
- Prefer native, low-fuss plants
- Garden in full sun
- Like natural, meadow-style plantings
POT SIZE: 2⅜” square x 3¾” deep band pot
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What to Expect With Your Plants
What size plants will I receive?
Most plants ship in 2 3/8” x 3 3/4” band pots—ideal for healthy root growth.
Top growth varies by variety and season, but every plant arrives well-rooted, actively growing, and ready to plant.
Grown naturally without artificial heat or lights, our plants are hardy, adaptable, and ready to thrive in real garden conditions.
When will my plants ship?
We schedule plant orders based on your area’s average last frost date and when each plant is truly ready to ship. You’ll receive an email with your estimated ship date once your order is scheduled.
Orders ship Monday–Wednesday via UPS or USPS (2–3 day service), so your plants arrive before the weekend and spend less time in transit. Shipping begins in spring—usually mid-April—when weather and plant health align, so your plants arrive strong, well-rooted, and ready to thrive.
Do you guarantee your plants?
We stand behind our plants and our packing process. While we can't control weather or how plants are cared for after arrival, we do guarantee that your plants will arrive healthy and in good condition. If there's an issue, just reach out and we're happy to help.
Are your plants inspected for plant health and disease?
Yes. Our nursery is inspected at least twice each year by the Oregon Department of Agriculture and meets state plant health and disease standards.
Why does shipping cost what it does for live plants?
Shipping live plants requires careful packaging, seasonal timing, and fast transit to ensure they arrive healthy.
Our shipping rates are calculated in real time based on box size, weight, and destination, and we always select the best available option for safe, timely delivery.
We never inflate shipping costs — you pay what it costs us to ship your order safely.
Have more questions?
We want you to feel good about your plant order. Find answers about shipping, sizing, care, and guarantees in our full FAQ.
All the plants arrived healthy in excellent condition