General Culture:

Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Prefers acidic, sandy soils.

Noteworthy Characteristics:

This low growing, Missouri native aster grows in clumps 15-20" tall and is typically found in acid soils in pine-oak or pine-hickory woods, ridgetops, upland slopes and glades. Sometimes called stiff-leafed aster because its rather distinctive linear leaves are narrow (almost needle-like), rigid and single-nerved (one prominent central vein). Stems and general habit are also stiff. Small flowers (1" across) have blue-violet to purple rays and yellow center disks and appear at the ends of ascending stems (often singly) in late summer to fall.