Snow Flurry White Heath Aster

Snow Flurry grows flat. Symphyotrichum ericoides 'Snow Flurry' spreads into a dense prostrate mat 3 to 6 inches tall, which lets it work as a groundcover, spill over a wall, or fill between stepping stones. This selection of a native species grows in full sun to part sun, hardy from Zone 3 through Zone 8.

In late autumn the mat disappears under tiny white daisies with yellow centers, packed so thickly the foliage vanishes. It flowers later than nearly anything else, and asters are a keystone genus, so those blooms feed bees at the close of the season when little else is open. It feeds pearl crescent caterpillars.

The foliage is fine and needle-like, which is where the name heath aster comes from, and it stays low and tight through the growing season without any shearing.

Heath asters grow wild in dry prairies and rocky ground. Give it full sun and sharp drainage, and it handles drought, poor soil, and moderate road salt once established. Wet or rich ground is what kills it. Deer generally leave it alone.