Native Asters and Goldenrod: Fall’s Unsung Pollinator Heroes
While gardeners fuss over mums and pansies, native asters and goldenrod are quietly keeping fall pollinators alive. These late-blooming natives provide critical nectar and pollen when most other flowers have faded—and contrary to popular belief, goldenrod doesn’t cause hay fever.
This guide covers the best native aster and goldenrod species for pollinators, planting and care tips, and how to use them in designed landscapes without the “weedy” look.
Why Native Asters and Goldenrod Matter
The fall nectar gap: Most garden flowers bloom spring through summer, then quit. But monarch butterflies migrate in September-October, and native bees are frantically storing provisions for winter. Native asters fall bloom and goldenrod fill the critical gap when pollinators need it most.
Ecosystem impact:
- Support 115+ specialist native bee species
- Provide fuel for migrating monarchs
- Feed late-season butterflies and beneficial insects
- Offer winter habitat when stems are left standing
- Improve soil and outcompete invasive species
Goldenrod myth-busting: Goldenrod (Solidago) does NOT cause hay fever. Ragweed—which blooms at the same time and looks similar from a distance—is the culprit. Goldenrod pollen is heavy and sticky (insect-pollinated), not light and airborne like ragweed (wind-pollinated).
Best Native Asters by Region
Asters were recently reclassified botanically. Many garden center labels still say “Aster,” but the genus is now split into Symphyotrichum (New World asters) and other genera. Either name works for shopping.
Eastern and Midwestern Regions
New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
- Zones: 4-8
- Height: 3-6 feet
- Bloom: September-October, purple-pink (cultivars in white, pink, purple)
- Light: Full sun to part shade
- Soil: Average to moist, tolerates clay
- Best for: Back of border, meadows, pollinator gardens
- Cultivars: ‘Purple Dome’ (18-24”, compact), ‘Alma Pötschke’ (bright pink)
Aromatic Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium)
- Zones: 3-8
- Height: 1-3 feet
- Bloom: September-October, lavender-blue
- Light: Full sun
- Soil: Dry to average, excellent for lean soils
- Best for: Front/mid border, rock gardens, drought-tolerant gardens
- Cultivars: ‘October Skies’ (18”, sky blue), ‘Raydon’s Favorite’ (24”, prolific)
Smooth Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve)
- Zones: 4-8
- Height: 2-4 feet
- Bloom: September-October, light blue
- Light: Full sun to light shade
- Soil: Dry to average
- Best for: Naturalistic plantings, meadows, slopes
- Notes: Mildew-resistant, attractive blue-green foliage
Heath Aster (Symphyotrichum ericoides)
- Zones: 3-8
- Height: 1-3 feet
- Bloom: September-October, white
- Light: Full sun
- Soil: Dry to average
- Best for: Front border, mass plantings, white gardens
- Notes: Clouds of tiny white flowers, airy texture
Western Regions
Pacific Aster (Symphyotrichum chilense)
- Zones: 5-9 (West Coast)
- Height: 1-3 feet
- Bloom: August-October, lavender to purple
- Light: Full sun to part shade
- Soil: Moist to wet, tolerates seasonal flooding
- Best for: Rain gardens, pond edges, coastal gardens
Western Silvery Aster (Symphyotrichum sericeum)
- Zones: 4-8
- Height: 1-2 feet
- Bloom: September-October, lavender
- Light: Full sun
- Soil: Dry, well-drained
- Best for: Xeric gardens, rock gardens, native meadows
Southern Regions
Eastern Silvery Aster (Symphyotrichum concolor)
- Zones: 5-9
- Height: 1-3 feet
- Bloom: September-November, purple
- Light: Full sun
- Soil: Sandy, dry
- Best for: Coastal gardens, sandy soils, naturalistic plantings
Stokes’ Aster (Stokesia laevis)
- Zones: 5-9
- Height: 12-18 inches
- Bloom: June-September (earlier than other asters)
- Light: Full sun to part shade
- Soil: Well-drained, average
- Best for: Front border, containers, long bloom season
Best Native Goldenrods by Region
Goldenrod (Solidago) gets a bad reputation but is one of the most valuable native perennials for pollinators.
Compact Goldenrods for Gardens
Zigzag Goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis)
- Zones: 3-8
- Height: 1-3 feet
- Bloom: August-October, golden yellow
- Light: Part shade to full shade
- Soil: Average to moist
- Best for: Shade gardens, woodland edges, under trees
- Notes: Only goldenrod for shade
Showy Goldenrod (Solidago speciosa)
- Zones: 3-8
- Height: 2-4 feet
- Bloom: August-October, golden yellow
- Light: Full sun
- Soil: Average to dry, well-drained
- Best for: Garden beds, naturalistic plantings, less aggressive than common goldenrod
- Notes: Upright form, attractive seed heads
Wrinkle-Leaf Goldenrod (Solidago rugosa)
- Zones: 4-9
- Height: 2-5 feet
- Bloom: September-October, golden yellow
- Light: Full sun to part shade
- Soil: Average to moist, tolerates clay
- Best for: Back of border, naturalistic plantings
- Cultivar: ‘Fireworks’ (3’, arching sprays, excellent for gardens)
Stiff Goldenrod (Solidago rigida)
- Zones: 3-9
- Height: 2-5 feet
- Bloom: August-October, golden yellow
- Light: Full sun
- Soil: Dry to average
- Best for: Prairies, meadows, xeriscaping
- Notes: Drought-tolerant, upright habit, flat-topped flowers
Goldenrods for Meadows and Large Spaces
Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis)
- Zones: 3-8
- Height: 3-6 feet
- Bloom: August-October, golden yellow
- Light: Full sun to part shade
- Soil: Average to moist, tolerates poor soil
- Best for: Meadows, large naturalistic areas
- Notes: Aggressive spreader—skip for small gardens
Tall Goldenrod (Solidago altissima)
- Zones: 4-9
- Height: 3-7 feet
- Bloom: August-October, golden yellow
- Light: Full sun
- Soil: Average to dry
- Best for: Meadows, prairies, erosion control
- Notes: Very vigorous, best for non-garden areas
Planting and Establishing Asters and Goldenrod
Best Planting Time
Fall (September-October): Ideal for most zones. Plants establish roots over winter, bloom next fall.
Spring (April-May): Second-best. Plants establish through summer, may bloom lightly first fall.
Site Preparation
Light requirements:
- Most asters and goldenrods: Full sun (6+ hours)
- Exception: Zigzag goldenrod tolerates full shade
- Part shade: Acceptable for most species but reduces bloom
Soil:
- Well-drained is essential (soggy winter soil = rot)
- Lean to average fertility (rich soil causes floppy growth)
- No amendments needed for native plants in appropriate soil
Spacing:
- Compact varieties (1-2’): 12-18 inches apart
- Medium varieties (2-4’): 18-24 inches apart
- Tall varieties (4-6’): 24-36 inches apart
Planting Steps
- Dig hole same depth as container, 2× as wide
- Remove plant and loosen circling roots
- Place in hole at same depth as growing in container
- Backfill with native soil (no amendments)
- Water thoroughly
- Apply 2 inches of mulch (avoid covering crown)
First-Year Care
Watering:
- Week 1-2: Water every 2-3 days if no rain
- Week 3-8: Water weekly
- After 2 months: Only during severe drought
Fertilizing:
- None needed—native plants adapted to local soils
- Excess fertility causes weak, floppy growth
First-year bloom:
- Many asters and goldenrods bloom lightly or not at all first year
- Expect full bloom second year after strong root establishment
Staking:
- Plants in rich soil or part shade may need staking
- Better solution: Pinch stems back in June (see Maintenance)
Maintenance and Care
The Chelsea Chop (Prevents Flopping)
Tall asters and goldenrods can flop open in center without support. The Chelsea Chop prevents this naturally.
Method:
- In late May or early June, cut stems back by 1/3 to 1/2
- Use pruners or hedge shears
- Plants will branch, creating compact, sturdy growth
- Bloom will be slightly later and shorter but much fuller
Which species benefit:
- New England Aster (essential for compact growth)
- Tall goldenrods
- Any variety over 3 feet in rich soil or part shade
Skip for:
- Compact cultivars (‘Purple Dome’, ‘October Skies’)
- Plants in lean, dry soil (already compact)
Deadheading
Skip it. Seed heads feed birds through winter and provide habitat. Plus, asters and goldenrods bloom once per year—deadheading doesn’t extend bloom.
Exception: Remove spent flowers if you want to prevent self-seeding (though seedlings are easy to remove or transplant).
Division
When: Every 3-4 years to maintain vigor, or when clumps die out in center
Timing: Early spring (preferred) or fall after bloom
Method:
- Dig entire clump
- Divide into 3-5 sections with roots and shoots
- Replant divisions at same depth
- Water well
Pest and Disease
Powdery mildew: Some asters are prone, especially in humid climates or crowded conditions
- Prevention: Plant mildew-resistant varieties (Aromatic Aster, Smooth Aster), thin stems in spring for air flow, avoid overhead watering
- Treatment: Usually cosmetic—doesn’t harm plant
Aster leaf beetles: Blue-black beetles that chew leaves in May-June
- Control: Hand-pick in morning when sluggish, or tolerate—damage ends by July
Goldenrod gall: Swellings on stems caused by gall flies
- Impact: None—plant is unharmed, galls are interesting
Design Ideas for Garden Settings
Native asters and goldenrod don’t have to look wild. Use them in designed gardens with these strategies.
Modern Minimalist Gardens
Approach: Repetition and mass planting for clean impact
Plant combo:
- Mass of Aromatic Aster ‘October Skies’ (low, mounding, sky blue)
- Ornamental grasses (Panicum, Schizachyrium)
- Simple hardscape (gravel, steel edging)
Cottage Gardens
Approach: Mix with traditional perennials for extended bloom
Plant combo:
- New England Aster (back)
- Showy Goldenrod ‘Fireworks’ (mid)
- Russian Sage or Perovskia (mid, silver foliage contrast)
- Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ (front)
Pollinator Gardens
Approach: Layered natives for season-long bloom
Plant combo:
- Early: Coneflower, Black-Eyed Susan
- Mid: Bee Balm, Mountain Mint
- Late: New England Aster, Showy Goldenrod, Joe Pye Weed
- Grasses: Little Bluestem for texture
Meadow or Prairie Gardens
Approach: Naturalistic drifts
Plant combo:
- Tall goldenrods (Solidago canadensis)
- New England Aster
- Big Bluestem or Indiangrass
- Coneflower (Echinacea)
- Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)
Shade Gardens (Unique Niche)
Approach: Zigzag Goldenrod is only goldenrod for shade
Plant combo:
- Zigzag Goldenrod (late bloom)
- Hostas (foliage, early summer bloom)
- Ferns (texture)
- Wild Ginger (groundcover)
Companion Plants for Asters and Goldenrod
Ornamental grasses:
- Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium): Bronze fall color
- Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum): Airy seed heads
- Purple Love Grass (Eragrostis spectabilis): Pink cloud effect
Other fall bloomers:
- Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’: Pink-red, front of border
- Russian Sage (Perovskia): Silver foliage, blue flowers
- Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium): Pink, back of border, moist soil
Spring and summer bloomers for succession:
- Coneflower (Echinacea): Purple, pink, white
- Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia): Yellow, summer bloom
- Bee Balm (Monarda): Red, pink, purple, mid-summer
Encouraging Self-Seeding vs Controlling Spread
Asters:
- Most asters spread slowly by rhizomes and self-seed moderately
- Seedlings are easy to remove in spring or transplant
- To control: Remove spent flowers before seed sets, divide clumps every 3 years
Goldenrods:
- Some spread aggressively (Canada Goldenrod), others are clumping (Showy Goldenrod)
- To control: Choose clumping varieties for gardens, save aggressive spreaders for meadows
- Remove spent flowers if self-seeding is unwanted
Sourcing Native Asters and Goldenrod
Local native plant nurseries: Best choice—plants are often local ecotypes adapted to your exact conditions
Online native plant nurseries:
- Prairie Moon Nursery
- Wild Seed Project
- American Meadows (native section)
Big-box garden centers: Hit-or-miss—carry a few cultivars but limited selection
Avoid: Avoid nativars (heavily bred cultivars) that may have reduced ecological value. Straight species or lightly bred selections are best for pollinators.
Common Questions
Q: Will these take over my garden?
Depends on species. Compact cultivars (‘Purple Dome’, ‘October Skies’, ‘Fireworks’) are well-behaved. Canada Goldenrod is aggressive—skip it for small gardens.
Q: Do I need to plant multiple varieties?
No, but more species = longer bloom window. Pair early-blooming goldenrod (August) with late aster (October) for extended color.
Q: Are cultivars as good for pollinators as wild types?
Most cultivars retain ecological value, but avoid doubled flowers (reduces nectar/pollen access). Single-flower forms are best.
Q: Can I grow these in containers?
Yes—compact cultivars work well in large containers (16”+ diameter). Use well-draining potting mix, provide winter protection for containers in cold zones.
Conclusion
Native asters and goldenrod aren’t garden weeds—they’re essential late-season lifelines for pollinators. With dozens of species ranging from compact garden varieties to tall meadow types, there’s an aster or goldenrod for every garden style and region.
Choose compact cultivars for designed gardens, plant in drifts for impact, and leave stems standing through winter for wildlife. The monarchs, native bees, and goldfinches will thank you.
Ready to design a pollinator-friendly fall garden? Use Gardenly AI to visualize native asters and goldenrod in your landscape. See how they’ll look in your beds before planting. Get your free design →
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Last updated: October 6, 2025 Reading time: 13 minutes