Purple-stem Aster
Symphyotrichum puniceum
Deep burgundy-red stems hold clouds of pale lavender flowers in fall. One of the best asters for rain gardens, pond margins, and wet spots.
Typically 1 pint–1 gal · $9–$30 · final price at pickup
- Thu, Aug 138 AM – 4 PM
- Fri, Aug 148 AM – 4 PM
- Sat, Aug 158 AM – 2 PM
Burgundy-red stems all season plus monarch-covered lavender fall flowers for the wet back border.
Purple-stem aster is one of the most striking asters for wet conditions. The stems are a deep burgundy-red, almost crimson, and they hold that color all season -- a structural detail that reads as an ornamental feature even before the pale lavender flowers open in September and October. The flowers are numerous and loosely arranged, creating a cloud of soft color on stems that can reach six feet in moist, fertile conditions. It's one of the best asters for rain gardens, pond margins, and low, wet spots where drainage is imperfect. The deep root system makes it effective at absorbing and filtering stormwater. Monarchs and painted ladies use it heavily during fall migration, and the seed heads carry into winter as bird food. A tall, bold, ecologically valuable native for the wet site back border.
A nursery-grown plant, ready for the ground.
Healthy, container-grown purple-stem aster propagated on-site at Hill House from regional genetics. Includes a one-page care card. We make every effort to supply plants as listed; occasionally we substitute a similar species of equal value.
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- Average
- Mature size
- 3–6 ft · 24–36 in wide
- Bloom time
- September–October
- Bloom color
- Lavender
- USDA zones
- 3–8
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native range
- Eastern and central North America from Quebec south to Georgia and west to Nebraska, in moist to wet meadows and stream margins
Care notes for purple-stem aster.
Full to part sun in moist to wet soil. Tolerates seasonally flooded conditions. Pinch in early July to reduce height. Cut back in early spring. Divide every three years to maintain vigor. The purple stems are a year-round identification feature even before bloom.
Pairs well with these.
Same light, same soil, same wildlife. Janet's picks to plant alongside purple-stem aster.
Or skip the guesswork.
Curated packages bundle complementary species for an instant habitat. One reservation, one pickup day, a printed layout map.
Short on Space Package
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Birder’s Paradise Package
For the avid bird watchers and budding ornithologists in our community, the Birder’s Paradise Package consists of species that Hill House Nursery staff and longtime native plant advocates such as Doug Tallamy consider ‘premier bird garden plants’.