Purple Haze California Aster (Symphyotrichum chilense 'Purple Haze') | Native Late-Season Pollinator Plant

Purple Haze California Aster

1 Gallon

$16.90

$16.90 $0.00

1/2

Purple Haze California Aster

Aster chilensis 'Purple Haze'

A vigorous California native aster with a profuse, late-season haze of deep lavender-purple flowers, perfect for ground cover and slopes.

$16.90

$16.90 $0.00

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

Symphyotrichum chilense 'Purple Haze' (formerly Aster chilensis) is a vigorous, deciduous herbaceous perennial prized for its sprawling, mat-forming habit and profuse, deep lavender-purple flowers with bright golden-yellow centers. This California native selection is a powerhouse in the late-season garden, sending up a multitude of slender, spreading stems that create a low, wide, weed-suppressing ground cover. From late summer through fall (August to October), the plant is nearly smothered in a haze of small, daisy-like flowers, each with numerous narrow, deep lavender to violet-purple petals surrounding a prominent yellow disc, creating a spectacular, long-lasting display that attracts a constant parade of butterflies, native bees, moths, and other pollinators . With exceptional tolerance for drought, poor soils, and coastal conditions, and its vigorous, spreading habit, it is an outstanding choice for erosion control on slopes, native plant gardens, wildflower meadows, ground cover, borders, and under oaks .

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Foliage & Flowers: Small, narrow, lance-shaped, bright green leaves on low, spreading, decumbent stems; profuse, small, daisy-like flowers (1 inch wide) with numerous slender, deep lavender to violet-purple rays and bright golden-yellow centers, blooming in late summer through fall (August to October) .
Mature Height: 12-36 inches (1-3 ft)
Mature Spread: 24-36 inches (2-3 ft) (vigorously spreading by rhizomes, can form large colonies)
Growth Rate: Fast
Hardiness Zones: USDA 6-10
Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade (best flowering in full sun)
Core Benefits: Profuse deep lavender-purple late-season flowers, vigorous spreading habit (great ground cover), exceptionally drought tolerant, attracts butterflies and native bees, California native, erosion control.
Best Uses: Native plant gardens, wildflower meadows, slopes (erosion control), ground cover, under oaks, coastal gardens, pollinator gardens, mass plantings, borders, xeriscape landscapes.

Q: How long does Purple Haze California Aster bloom?
A: It blooms from late summer through fall (typically August to October), providing a crucial late-season source of nectar for pollinators preparing for winter.

Q: How large does it get?
A: It is a fast-spreading plant, typically reaching 1-3 feet in height and 2-3 feet in spread as a single clump, but it spreads vigorously by rhizomes and can form large colonies many feet wide over time.

Q: Is it a good choice for ground cover?
A: Yes, it is an outstanding ground cover. Its low, spreading, mat-forming habit and vigorous rhizomatous roots allow it to create a dense, weed-suppressing carpet that stabilizes soil on slopes and banks.

Q: How much sun does it need?
A: For the densest growth and most abundant flowers, plant in full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily). It will tolerate partial shade but may be less compact and flower less.

Q: How much water does it need?
A: Once established, it is highly drought tolerant. Water regularly during its first year, then little to no supplemental water is needed. It thrives in well-drained soils and is well-adapted to California's dry summer climate.

Q: Does it spread aggressively?
A: It is a vigorous spreader via underground rhizomes and can form large colonies over time. This makes it an excellent choice for large areas, slopes, and naturalistic plantings, but it may be too aggressive for small, formal gardens. It can be contained by planting in a pot or using a root barrier.