http://statebystategardening.com/ga/blog_02_summary/ en ehoneycutt@bellsouth.net Copyright 2012 2012-05-17T12:09:48+00:00 http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ga/blog_03/spiderwort_-_old-fashioned_favorite/ http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ga/blog_03/spiderwort_-_old-fashioned_favorite/ Spiderworts (Tradescantia spp.) have been a favorite for years as a dependable garden perennial - one of the classic pass-along plants.  I suspect few people realize it is a Georgia native plant but it is.  I was hiking last week in the north Georgia mountains and saw many wild populations blooming.  The mountain spiderwort that I saw is Tradescantia subaspera, sometimes called zig-zag spiderwort:   Tradescantia subaspera   Six species of Tradescantia are native to Georgia, but many folks lump all of them into one - the aggressive smooth spiderwort whose species name is T. ohiensis.  The smooth spiderwort can be distinguished from the other popular garden varieties, Tradescantia virginiana being the main one, by the absence of hairs on the buds that hold the blooms (hence the name "smooth").  Smooth spiderwort is a great plant but needs to be sited carefully so that it either does not overwhelm a small area or you give it the room it wants to have!  Perhaps you can see in the picture below the lack of hairs on the buds: Smooth spiderwort, T. ohiensis How did this plant get it's common name anyway?  Some people feel that the bloom/leaf arrangement looks like a spider. The USDA Plant Guide offers that it is perhaps because of the "spider web-like filaments that surround the anthers of the flower or the threadlike secretion that emerges from the stem upon cutting." Personally, I think it is because the root mass looks like a spider!  Common names can be so mysterious.  At least we can agree that the scientific name was created in honor of John Tradescant. He was the gardener for Charles I, King of England. Spiderworts like to be in soil that is evenly moist, but I don't baby mine very much and they do fine. Although most spiderworts are blue, there are some natural color variations resulting in rose colored blooms as well as purple and white.  Here is a white form of Virginia spiderwort (note also the hairs on the flower buds):   Tradescantia virginiana   A note for those with deer - the foliage seems to be tasty to them.  My most exposed plantings get nibbled on from time to time.   2012-05-17T11:09:48+00:00 http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ga/blog_03/tuliptree_-_tree_or_tulip/ http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ga/blog_03/tuliptree_-_tree_or_tulip/ The tree officially known as Liriodendron tulipifera is a tree, of course, but the tulip-shaped blossoms are a delight to those that come across them.  Since the tree can be very large, reaching well over 100 feet in ideal conditions, the blossoms that one sees up close are often those that were broken in a spring thunderstorm and found on the ground.  Such accidents allow us to appreciate the details of the beautiful flowers, including the orange markings inside them. Liriodendron tulipifera Common names for this tree include "tuliptree" and "tulip-poplar" and even "yellow-poplar".  This is not a true poplar tree (Populus), so the common names can be a bit confusing to some.  It is a fast growing tree in my area, usually growing straight and tall as an arrow.  Despite it's fast growth, the wood is strong.  I wish more nurseries would sell this tree to homeowners looking for fast growing shade trees. The natural range for this tree in Georgia is widespread throughout the state, from top to bottom and even out to the maritime counties. View of flowers from the ground It is a member of the Magnolia family (Magnoliaceae) and close examination of the buds and flowers reveal the resemblance.  There are only two individuals in the genus - our native one and one in China. Liriodendron tulipifera is considered the tallest hardwood in the eastern US, and the native range spans from Florida and Texas in the south all the way into southern New England and Canada and west to Iowa. Leaves Seeds The tree is beneficial to wildlife in several ways.  The flowers are rich in nectar and so are an excellent food source for its pollinators, including hummingbirds.  It is the larval host plant for the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio glaucus) and others.  In the fall, mature trees produce abundant papery seeds that are eaten by cardinals, other birds and squirrels. Next time you're looking for a fast growing shade tree, consider Liriodendron tulipifera. Reference: USDA Forest Service publication 2012-04-26T23:28:06+00:00 http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ga/blog_03/native_azaleas/ http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ga/blog_03/native_azaleas/ Azaleas in the springtime are every bit as familiar as our beloved native Dogwood (Cornus florida).  But the azaleas that most people buy, plant, and see in other gardens are azaleas from Asia.  Those azaleas have evergreen leaves and come in a wide range of colors.  Native azaleas, which used to be known as "wild honeysuckle", are every bit as beautiful but not as well known. Piedmont azalea, Rhododendron canescens Georgia's native azaleas are members of the Rhododendron genus and are deciduous shrubs (they drop their leaves in the winter).  Georgia has an abundance of them naturally - twelve different species make their home here.  Some of them are delightfully fragrant - hence the common name of "wild honeysuckle".  Many of them are white but they also come in shades of pink, yellow, orange and red.  When different species are near each other, they can hybridize naturally and create new colors.  In my area there is both the fragrant Piedmont azalea (Rhododendron canescens) and the colorful Oconee azalea (Rhododendron flammeum).  The Piedmont azalea lends its fragrance to the mix while the Oconee brings color.  In the pictures below, the flower on the left is likely a hybrid of Piedmont and Oconee while the flower on the right is pure Oconee - but that is just my personal guess!   In my personal collection I also have a spectacular red azalea - the late blooming Plumleaf azalea.  This azalea is normally found in the area around Callaway Gardens; in fact it is the symbol of Callaway Gardens as it was one of the reasons to preserve the area.  It blooms in late June and into July.  Plumleaf azalea, Rhododendron prunifolium   Nurserymen have used the plumleaf azalea to hybridize with a number of other late blooming azaleas - in particular the swamp white azalea Rhododendron viscosum.  Last year I bought one of these hybrids and it is a beautiful plant that blooms in late May through June.  It is called 'Millenium' and has the color of the plumleaf with a slight fragrance of the swamp.  In addition the foliage is bluish-green which pairs nicely with the blooms.   Rhododendron x 'Millenium' Many other hybrids are in the trade and native azaleas are being more regularly stocked by mainstream nurseries - even stores like Home Depot.  But you can find a really good selection of them at the spring plant sale held by the Georgia Native Plant Society on Saturday, April 14, 2012 in Marietta, GA. 2012-04-03T22:48:18+00:00 http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ga/blog_03/bloodroot_-_plant_of_the_year/ http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ga/blog_03/bloodroot_-_plant_of_the_year/ Bloodroot is the common name for Sanguinaria canadensis, a spring wildflower that is native to Georgia and much of the eastern United States.  In Georgia it is native to much of the state, from the northern most counties, down in the Piedmont region and even in  the upper region of the Coastal Plain. The common name springs from the watery red liquid that oozes from any cuts on the rhizome (the root portion).  Although I've never cut one on purpose, I have accidentally cut one with a shovel and seen it for myself. Bloodroot rhizomes are red in color   Of course we mostly see the flowers, not the rhizome - the pure white petals braving the early spring winds and cool temperatures.  A favorite aspect of them is the way the single leaf wraps around the flower stem, as if to protect it from the elements.  The flower only lasts a few days and then the petals will drop and the seeds will mature.  The leaf can last for several months depending on the moisture and temperature conditions.  Some people feel that the leaves make an attractive groundcover.  Eventually the plant will go dormant so it is good to mark where they are so that you don't plant over them. Here the leaf clasps the stem of the flower A modest group makes a pleasing display Bloodroot was voted by the members of the Georgia Native Plant Society as their 2012 Plant of the Year.  You can read more about the plant on their website.  It is certainly a very versatile and attractive plant, worthy of more inclusion in our gardens, especially in gardens that are integrated in woodland areas. You can find bloodroot for sale at the annual plant sale held by the Georgia Native Plant Society.  This year it will be Saturday, April 14th from 10 am to 2 pm in Marietta, GA.  More details here.   2012-03-05T15:25:38+00:00 http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ga/blog_03/arbor_day_is_february_17/ http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ga/blog_03/arbor_day_is_february_17/ Arbor Day is celebrated on different dates throughout the U.S. due to climate differences. For Georgia it is the third Friday in February – this will be February 17th in 2012.  National Arbor Day gets a lot of attention in late April, but in Georgia it is better to plant trees much earlier when trees are dormant, temperatures are cool, and winter rains are possible.     With Arbor Day coming up this week, I’d like to talk about the following three points:   Why it’s important to plant trees Why it’s important to plant native trees Why some native trees might be a better choice than others     Importance of planting trees   When my kids were in elementary school I would organize an Arbor Day event on behalf of the PTA.  Most years we gave out seedlings that we purchased from the Georgia Forestry Commission.  The kids loved the event, and the older ones could easily answer the question about what benefits do trees provide: Oxygen, shade, food for us and wildlife, shelter for wildlife, beauty, and protection against soil erosion.  They also provide wind breaks, and they can provide privacy.     Why native trees   So you might think that it doesn’t matter what kind of tree you plant, but it does matter.  Native trees support native insects and so they also support the creatures that rely on those insects – the whole local ecosystem has grown up around native trees and it depends on them.  There are insects whose larval form feed exclusively on a plant or group of plants – insects such as the eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly (Papilio glaucus).  Eggs are laid on the leaves of wild black cherry (Prunus serotina) and tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera); the caterpillars that hatch will consume a small amount of the overall foliage.  Choosing to plant a non-native tree instead reduces the biomass available for specialized insects, resulting in fewer insects overall.  There are studies that show that specialized native insects (most of what we have) cannot adapt to eat non-native plants. Fewer insects equals less food available for the birds that feed these caterpillars to their chicks.      Why some native trees are better choices   In the paragraph above I talked about why choose a native tree over a non-native one.  Now I'll like to talk about why choose particular native trees rather than just "any" native tree. Think "native" on a smaller scale - the environments in which you live need the indigenous plants that support them.  For example, growing blue spruce (Picea pungens) in north Georgia adds nothing to the local environment - it is as alien to the insects that live here as a plant from Europe because it is native to the western United States. Consider also diversity when choosing a tree.  If your area is full of oak trees, consider planting something else instead of another oak.  Doug Tallamy, entomologist and author of Bringing Nature Home, has created a top twenty list of woody plants (and perennials) for the mid-Atlantic region.  This list is based on the number of different species of Lepidoptera they support - those caterpillars that the birds love to eat!  While oaks are first on the list, adding a hickory (Carya sp.) or birch (Betula sp.) to your yard would allow you to support much more biodiversity.   Take a survey of not only your yard but the areas around you to see what native trees are already there.  But don't that list stop you from indulging in something you love like the iconic flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) or the early flowering redbud (Cercis canadensis).  If you want to attract more birds to your yard with fruiting trees then consider serviceberry (Amelanchier sp.) and hawthorn (Crataegus sp.).   So when Arbor Day comes this Friday, consider planting a tree for all the right reasons.  And if you have kids or grandkids, be sure to involve them and talk about the reasons that we plant trees and conserve them.   Eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly (Papilio glaucus)   2012-02-12T12:14:23+00:00 http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ga/blog_03/spring_is_on_its_way/ http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ga/blog_03/spring_is_on_its_way/ The grey days of January can be a discouraging time for the gardener.  The once bright and crisp leaves of fall have faded to brown and lie crushed and torn on the ground, belittled by winter rains, freezing temperatures, and time itself.  Deciduous tree limbs are bare, and perennial flower stalks rattle in the wind, their seeds mostly gone now.  Native plants need this time to develop their roots and resources.  But in Georgia, if we look hard enough, we can still spot the promise of spring.   Last weekend I spied my first Hepatica americana bloom (now Hepatica nobilis var. obtusa) – right on schedule.  I was sorry to note that this was the second bloom, the first had already faded and was forming a seed capsule.  I went walking to see what else I could find. Hepatica nobilis var. obtusa As my feet moved along the path, the decomposing leaves fluttered to the side, revealing the grey-green foliage of Pussytoes (Antennaria plantaginifolia).  These and other semi-evergreen plants like fairywand (Chamaelirium luteum) and green and gold (Chrysogonum virginianum) patiently tolerate the loose leaf cover; if you look closely, you can see the buds of new leaves already formed, waiting for the longer days and warmth of spring. Antennaria plantaginifolia Hexastylis arifolia Evergreen gingers like Heartleaf (Hexastylis arifolia) and Shuttleworth (H. shuttleworthii) are getting the last bit of use out of their leaves. New leaves will replace these fading ones which are a bit tattered and droopy now.  As spring gets closer, sometimes I pull away the leaf duff to see if the flowers are visible yet. It’s a demonstration of my impatience – I love the hidden flowers of our native gingers. Perhaps I should keep a journal to remember which day they will bloom.   As I make my way around the back of the house I notice that elderberry leaves (Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis) are emerging already along the pale stems.  One of my St. John’s wort species also has tiny new leaves already. The blue-green foliage of the columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) soaks up the sun; it never really disappears either.  Above it, the flower buds on the blueberries (Vaccinium sp.) are plump in expectation of flowering in the next month or so; their flowers are some of the earliest, timed to nourish the bumblebees emerging from hibernation. Blueberry (Vaccinium sp.) Wax myrtle (Morella cerifera) I see the berries are ripening on the wax myrtle (Morella cerifera) – turning a beautiful shade of blue-grey. Juniper berries (Juniperus virginiana) are ready for the birds that love them - birds like cedar waxwings, bluebirds, and robins.  And while I was looking at the berries, I saw that the new cones are forming on the juniper, no different than the flower buds already waiting on the tips of the dogwood (Cornus florida) branches. Juniper cones (Juniperus virginiana) Dogwood (Cornus florida) And on the deck, stashed in rows of 1 gallon pots, is one of my favorite promises: the tender foliage emerging from the seed of a red buckeye, Aesculus pavia.  Yes, spring is on the way, but it does need every moment of winter to get ready for it -- I'll wait right here.   Seedling Aesculus pavia   2012-01-22T15:52:20+00:00 http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ga/blog_03/resolve_to_give_back_to_nature/ http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ga/blog_03/resolve_to_give_back_to_nature/ During this season of giving I can’t help but think of those that need the best gift we can give them – our support.  I’m talking about the things that we co-habit the Earth with: the plants, the insects, the birds, the mammals.  We can do things - even small things - to give them a bit of support:   Food – remember the food chain and start with the building blocks: PLANTS.  Native plants feed native insects which then feed other native insects and birds.  Plants also feed mammals – deer browse on foliage while seeds and nuts feed chipmunks, squirrels and birds.  Smaller mammals and birds become food for larger predators.  Non-native plants feed very few native insects and therefore do very little to support the populations of all that rely on them.  Leaf litter feeds the insects that birds like the brown thrasher hunt.   Water – create a fresh water source in your yard.  It can be as small as a single birdbath or a shallow container on the ground.  Change it out every few days to keep it fresh and healthy.   Brown Thrasher splashing in my birdbath   Shelter – providing shelter is so much more than having birdhouses.  Birds need year-round protection and evergreen shrubs and trees can provide that.  Loose brush piles provide shelter for small mammals as well as daytime cover for birds as they hunt for food.  Tall trees provide places for squirrels to nest and dead trees (known as “snags”) provide both food and shelter for certain birds like woodpeckers.   A place to raise their young – birds like robins, mockingbirds and cardinals and many others nest in shrubs that have dense growth in the summer time.  Again with the brush piles ....  Flat rocks provide the habitat that creatures like salamanders need.  Dense leaf litter is the home to many insects and their young.   Woodpecker on a snag in my yard   Habitat – now think BIGGER than your backyard.  Every small piece of space that we can preserve for them in a natural state is a gift that keeps on giving.  Here are ideas that get bigger and bigger: -          Convince your friends and neighbors to leave natural places; if each one of us left part of our backyard as natural (still removing any invasives!), imagine the corridor that we could link between us.  Birds and mammals need contiguous spaces not isolated pockets.  Spread the word. -          Support efforts in your local communities to create city parks and county parks.  Volunteer at these parks to teach other people about using native plants and about the importance of removing invasive plants.  Your gifts of time and effort are worth more than you know. -          Support your state parks by visiting them, volunteering through their “Friends of” organization, and supporting legislative efforts to fund them and create new ones.  Helping to remove invasives is so helpful - cutbacks in funding have left this job mostly undone, allowing invasive plants to disturb even more natural habitat. -          Support groups like The Nature Conservancy, The Georgia Conservancy, and others that come together to purchase sensitive areas for conservation. When you're thinking about your new year's resolution, think about how you can help those that live around us. 2011-12-27T21:47:13+00:00 http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ga/blog_03/tough_urban_oaks/ http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ga/blog_03/tough_urban_oaks/ Plants that can live (and thrive) in adverse conditions like parking lots and roadway medians are special indeed.  Those that do so are prized by landscape designers and their use often is repeated.    These same trees might show up on lists of urban (also known as “street”) trees.  While maples are often used in these conditions, here are several native oak trees that I have seen recently that fit this bill.   Pin oak (Quercus palustris) has been a parking lot staple for many years around North Atlanta.  The trees planted some 30 years ago are now trees of considerable size – in places where they were allowed to remain.  Unfortunately in some urban areas, trees are considered expendable when it comes time to expand further.  Don’t let the common name fool you – the pin oak does not have slender “pin” shaped leaves.  The leaves are broad and usually have 5-7 lobes.  Q. palustris tends to retain it’s dried leaves over the winter, allowing for some measure of privacy when planted in a residential area.  That characteristic plus slightly drooping lower limbs are key identifiers for me.  The acorns are rather small and striped.  Like many urban tolerant trees, this species is naturally at home in poorly drained soils with high clay content.  I have never noticed this species having any remarkable fall color.  Quercus palustris Pin oak acorns and leaves Willow oak (Quercus phellos) is another parking lot staple and continues to be used even in new developments.  Perhaps the narrow, linear leaves are more friendly to clean up crews in the fall than other oaks.  This is the tree that people think of when you mention “pin oak”.    The rapid growth rate and pleasing shape of the mature tree are probably two of the reasons it is still used in design.  Again the acorns are rather small (perhaps a plus for high traffic areas) and faintly striped.  Again this tree is naturally found in poorly drained areas, making it ideal for use in urban areas.  The fall color is yellow and rather unremarkable.  Quercus phellos, Willow oak leaves and acorns Shumard oak (Quercus shumardii) is a moderately fast growing tree with handsome lobed leaves.  It became popular as an alternative for the overused Pin oak some years ago.  The leaves of the two species are very similar in appearance but Shumard oak has better fall color and the dead leaves do not persist.  The acorns are much larger and resemble those of Northern red oak (Quercus rubra).   I found this example planted as a median tree along an office park throughway, but the trees were not doing very well.  My research shows that while this species can do well, it does prefer more moisture than others. Quercus shumardii, Shumard oak leaves and acorns   Nuttall oak (formerly Quercus nuttallii or Quercus shumardii var. texana, now Quercus texana)  is perhaps the latest favorite in parking lot oaks.  This species is the best looking of the group: the leaves are handsome and lobed and have superb fall color.  Couple those looks with a fast growth rate and you have a winner as far as the landscape design folks are concerned.  The acorn is similar in looks to Shumard oak, except smaller in size and with a “goblet” shaped cap.   I found this example in a supermarket parking lot where the acorns on the ground were numerous.     Quercus texana, leaves and acorns Nuttall oak in parking lot   Now is a good time in Georgia to plant dormant trees like oaks.  So if you’re looking for a good street tree, the four native choices listed above are ones to consider. 2011-11-23T22:48:55+00:00 http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ga/blog_03/double_duty_shrubs/ http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ga/blog_03/double_duty_shrubs/ Now is a good time to be thinking about changes to your shrubs for next year.  This is the perfect time of year to plant new shrubs and trees in Georgia.  The cool weather and ample winter moisture helps them get settled - much better than planting in the spring. When thinking about new shrubs, you might consider some which are beautiful in both the spring and the fall, getting double duty out of them in the garden.  Of course I'd like you to consider increasing the amount of native plants in your landscape, so I'd like to offer some ideas for native shrubs that you can use. Dwarf witch alder is an awkward name for a shrub that has it's own beautiful name: Fothergilla.  There are two species of Fothergilla: Fothergilla major (which is larger) and Fothergilla gardenii.  The leaves resemble the leaves of Witch hazel, hence the common name.  Early spring blooms resemble mini bottle-brushes and provide a very different look than your usual landscape plants.  The foliage is very handsome all summer long and then turns a variety of yellow/orange/pink for the fall.  In the nursery you can expect to find named cultivars like Fothergilla major 'Mt. Airy' and Fothergilla gardenii 'Blue Mist' (which has nice blue-green leaves). F. major 'Blue Shadow' is another cultivar with blue-green leaves. Fothergilla major, spring Fothergilla major, fall   Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica) is naturally a moisture-loving shrub found on the edges of lakes or streams, but it also does well in average garden conditions.  In ideal conditions the shrub slowly suckers to form a colony - a nice feature if you plan for it.  Itea blooms later in spring than Fothergilla so they would make a nice combination for a succession of blooms.  Long creamy white panicles of flowers look good against the medium green leaves.  A library in Alpharetta, GA has a huge grouping of them in almost full sun and the bloom show is outrageous.  In fall the foliage turns burgundy.  Cultivars like 'Merlot' and 'Henry's Garnet' have exceptionally consistent color.  Dwarf forms like 'Little Henry' fit into smaller spaces. Itea virginica, spring Itea virginica, fall (not a cultivar)   A later spring blooming shrub (May for me) is also an evergreen one - Mountain laurel, Kalmia latifolia.  Perfect for a spot of year-round greenery, Mountain laurel cultivars are available in a multitude of sizes.  I have 'Elf', the smallest of the bunch at 2x2 feet.  You can also find cultivars that are 3x3 ('Minuet' and 'Olympic Fire'), 4x4 ('Sarah' and 'Nipmuck') and bigger.  Do your research!  The species grows naturally on streamsides and grows up to 12 feet.  When considering a spot for it, plan for good moisture and afternoon shade. Kalmia latifolia, not a cultivar Kalmia latifolia 'Elf' Non-native viburnums (often called snowball bushes) get a lot of attention, but our native ones are very attractive as well and have better fall color.  Mapleleaf viburnum, Viburnum acerifolium, is one that I love to recommend because it does well in dry shade.  It is the 2011 Plant of the Year for the Georgia Native Plant Society.  Possumhaw viburnum, Viburnum nudum, is found naturally in wet-to-moist areas and has berries that turn from green to pink to blue.  In fact the berries are so showy when they are pink that people think the clusters are blooms!  Cultivars like 'Winterthur' and 'Earthshades' are usually available in nurseries.  Viburnums set more fruit if there are at least two different ones that bloom at the same time to support cross-pollination. Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides, berries Viburnum acerifolium, fall color Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is a summer blooming shrub with large panicles of cream-colored flowers that age to a dusky pink.  The effect adds an appearance of longer lasting blooms.  The fall color on the large, oakleaf-shaped leaves is very handsome.  Many cultivars are available, including double-flowered ones like 'Snowflake' and dwarf ones like 'Pee Wee'.  It grows better in drier conditions than the non-native mophead hydrangeas. Hydrangea quercifolia, summer Hydrangea quercifolia, fall   I hope that you will find some ideas here to spark your interest in our beautiful and versatile native shrubs.  Remember to consider "right plant, right place" when choosing and to research your choices before you buy. 2011-10-28T23:58:44+00:00 http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ga/blog_03/ask_me_about_asters/ http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ga/blog_03/ask_me_about_asters/ Asters are in bloom now in gardens and along roadsides throughout the South.  They are rather non-descript when they are not in bloom and then suddenly they explode!  They are a beautiful and essential part of the fall landscape to me.  Previously known as Aster, these are now in the genus Symphyotrichum .  It's a mouthful.  I saw recently where someone affectionately referred to them simply as "ex-Aster".  Much easier to say!  Here are some the ones blooming in my yard now:   Calico aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum) is a rather petite plant and usually found on the edges of woodlands.  It gets it's name from the multi-colored look of the blooms.  The difference in the color is attributed to the maturity of the inner disk flowers.  Before they open they are pale yellow, but they look purple once they open. Calico aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum)   Georgia aster (Symphyotrichum georgianum) is perhaps my favorite aster.  The blooms are the largest of any that I know - the flowers can be up to 2 inches wide.  Their deep purple color is complimented by the dark purple center.  Similar to the Calico aster, the disk flowers are pale yellow when in bud and purple once they are open.  This plant is rather uncommon, and habitat destruction is decreasing it's natural range. Georgia aster, disk flowers just opening Georgia aster, disk flowers mature Aster patens (Symphyotrichum patens) is also a purple aster.  I have the two asters blooming right next to each other and sometimes they mingle.  The bloom is smaller, and it has the more common yellow center.  The leaves are very similar between the two: auriculate (eared) and clasping at the stem.  Georgia aster used to be considered a variety of Aster patens: Aster patens var. georgianus. Symphyotrichum patens Bushy aster (Symphyotrichum dumosum) is aptly named! At my house there is one near the front porch and it bursts into a blooming bush this time of year.  Another common name for it is "rice button aster" because sometimes the blooms are quite small.  Here it is mixing with a late cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis): Symphyotrichum dumosum   Aster concolor (Symphyotrichum concolor) is what I call this one although it apparently is also known as Eastern silver aster.  Sometimes it is easier to hold onto the old names!  This one has an unusual bloom arrangement - the blooms are clustered tightly around the stem. Aster concolor with a small fly Aster concolor       This last aster may be the same as Bushy aster but it never gets quite the same shape.  The flowers are arranged neatly along the stem and the whole effect is rather angular, not as "bushy" as the other one.  I think it is a form of Symphyotrichum ericoides.  If you don't have any asters, I'd encourage you to get some.  New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)  is usually available in stores this time of year and is certainly one of the more floriferous ones.   2011-10-14T21:59:30+00:00