Symphyotrichum ericoides 'Snow Flurry' (White Heath Aster)

Symphyotrichum ericoides (syn. Aster ericoides), commonly called white heath aster or simply heath aster, is a medium-sized upright wildflower commonly found in upland areas and dry woods; though the straight species typically grows to one to three feet tall, the ‘Snow Flurry’ cultivar is a low-growing prostrate form that grows to only 4-6” tall, creeping over the ground to a spread of up to a foot. Heath aster produces telltale yellow and white, many-petaled flowers much like other aster relatives; blooms are produced in great number along prostrate groundcover stems, resembling a small flurry of snowflakes along the ground in the later parts of summer and early fall.

Named for the similarity of its foliage to heather (Genus: Erica), Symphyotrichum ericoides is covered in fine, narrow leaves, and tolerates a great deal of growing conditions, growing well in poor, rocky, sandy, or clay-rich soils as long as it's provided with full sun. ‘Snow Flurry’ heath aster tolerates a similar range of conditions, and is also very drought tolerant, making it a great choice for erosion control planting in locations where seasonal flooding or runoff isn't consistent.