Elliott’s Aster
One of the last asters to bloom in the fall, Elliott’s aster (Symphyotrichum elliottii) is a wonderful wildflower for attracting butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Masses of fragrant flowers with light, pinkish lavender petals and yellow centers adorn the tall plants. Each flower is more than 1 inch across. Elliott’s aster typically grows to about 4 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide and spreads to form dense stands. This long-lived perennial does best in full sun and moist to wet soil. Elliott’s aster occurs in most of Florida in sunny roadside ditches, swamps, and marshes. It is one of 14 native Symphyotrichum asters occurring in Wakulla County. Elliott’s aster has just finished blooming at the west end of the pond at Sopchoppy Depot Park.
