Heath aster ‘Snow Flurry’

* Common name: White heath aster ‘Snow Flurry’

* Botanical name: Symphyotrichum ericoides var. prostratrum ‘Snow Flurry’

* What it is: The Pennsylvania-native heath-aster variety of ‘Snow Flurry’ is one of the season’s last perennials to bloom, nearly covering the plants for weeks in snowflake-like, white, daisy flowers in late September and October.

   ‘Snow Flurry’ is distinctive in the aster family for being a particularly short variety. Plants grow in short, bushy clumps that top out around six inches tall.

   Butterflies like the flowers, but deer usually leave most asters alone.

   The plant’s leaves are narrow and similar to heathers, which is the source of the common name “heath aster.”

* Size: Plants grow about six inches tall (less than half of this species’ norm) and spread about 18 inches.

* Where to use: ‘Snow Flurry’ is a sun-lover that’s native to rocky meadows and open prairies, so it’s a natural for a rock garden, crevice garden, or any hot, sunny site.

   Since it’s short, use ‘Snow Flurry’ toward the front of garden beds, borders, or slopes. Planted at the edge of a rock wall, plants will drape over slightly and look much at home.

   ‘Snow Flurry’ is also a good plant for the edges of a meadow or at the front of a south- or west-facing foundation bed.

   Although heath asters are drought-tough, they also tolerate short-term wet soil, so a sunny rain garden is another possibility.

* Care: Keep the soil damp the first season to establish the roots, then water is usually not needed. Fertilizer also is usually never needed.

   Let the foliage stand over winter as a wildlife resource, and then cut spent foliage to the ground in early spring before new growth begins.

   Plants can be dug and divided in early spring if you want to expand your planting elsewhere.

* Great partner: ‘Snow Flurry’ works best in a rock garden with other classic rock-garden species, such as dianthus, creeping phlox, hens and chicks, creeping thyme, and creeping sedum.

   Or pair ‘Snow Flurry’ with other late-season bloomers such as goldenrod, mums, sedum, and/or Montauk daisies for a fall-peaking garden.

   Native prairie grasses such as prairie dropseed, switchgrass, and little bluestem make good textural contrasts.