Plant Highlights

The California Sandaster, also known as Common Aster, is a perennial herb that is native to California and Baja California. California aster is an extremely abundant, widespread plant that is a very important habitat plant. It grows 1'-3' tall and will spread up to 3', intertwining with other plants as it grows. The gray-green foliage is woolly and the daisy-like flowers are lavender with yellow centers. This plant will grow in almost any soil, including clay and rocky soils, and seems equally successful on the coast and inland. Cut back to about 4" as needed to tame its wild habit! Gabbs Checkerspot butterfly larvae utilize this species for food and many other butterflies, from skippers to Swallowtails, use the nectar.