Ionactis linariifolia - Stiff-leaved Aster

Sizes available: 2 quart

Basics: zones 4-9, 1-2' x .5-1', full sun to light shade, medium purple to very light blue-ish white with a yellow center over narrow, needle-like leaves in mid-summer, likes it dry to medium, well drained, sandy and acidic, but is adaptable to most conditions as long as they are well-drained, no winter wet.

Common names: Stiff-leaved Aster, Flax-leaf Ankle-aster, Flaxleaf Whitetop

Synonym: Aster linariifolius

Family: Asteraceae

Origin/Distribution: Quebec and New Brunswick south to Florida, west to the east Texas border and north to Minnesota. These plants were grown from seed collected in New England. I. linariifolia is native to Maine.

Habitat: Oak-Pine woods, upland slopes, dry and open woodland, moister sites as long as there is good drainage

More: This compact, long-bloomer is an excellent native addition to your sunny rock garden or sunny border edge, or by a step with good drainage - that sort of place. The blooms are attractive to moths, beetles, bees, flies, and butterflies. Turkeys, grouse and small mammals eat the seeds. The root of this plant has been used medicinally.

Source: grown from seed by 5 Star Nursery or Honey Petal Plants

Image credit: In situ via Mt. Cuba Center; illustration from Wikimedia Commons