The Symphyotrichum dumosum is a genus from the aster or sunflower family (Asteraceae or Compositae) and is native to the eastern half of North America. The Symphyotrichum dumosum is commonly named bushy aster.
Many plants where called Aster based on their outer characteristics. Molecular research in the nineties proved that the plants from North America where not closely related to the plants in Europe and Asia. The genus Aster is restricted to Eurasia. The plants in North America have been divided into separate genera which include, amongst others Symphyotrichum and Eurybia. This is why the botanical name of the bushy aster has been changed from Aster dumosus to Symphyotrichum dumosum. Dumosum means bushy.
The more sun the bushy aster receives the more flowers it produces. With too much shade the Symphyotrichum dumosum will hardly produce any flowers at all. The bushy aster is salt tolerant and hardy.
The bushy aster does not grow very high and grows compact (bushy). The stems stay upright and do not need support. The Symphyotrichum dumosum spreads with rhizomes. To keep it in place you might want to put a plastic rim around it.
The bushy aster newly emerges every year. In spring you can cut away the old and dead stems to make room for the new stems. The bushy aster is very suitable as cut flowers and they attract butterflies and bees.
Attracts bees: yes
Characteristic: newly emerging every year
Deer resistant: yes
Exposure: sun/ part shade
Flower color: purple
Flowering time: September – October
Foliage color: green
Fragrant flower: no
Hardiness: -22 F/ -30 ºC
Height: 16 inches/ 40 cm
Soil: normal