The California aster (Symphyotrichum chilense) is a beautiful daisy-like perennial herb that produces a ton of summer flowers, attracting pollinators such as native butterflies and moths. The blooms range from blue to lavender to yellow, and their starburst appearance gives them their name.
Also known as the Pacific aster, it can survive in full sun to partial shade, and it does best in coastal areas. It is fast-growing, reaching a size of 3-by-3 feet. Remove wilted blooms in the season to produce more flowers.
Make sure to prune the plant low after flowering in the fall. It is deciduous, goes dormant in winter, and will reappear in early spring.
