Calico Aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum) is in the Sunflowers, Daisies, Asters, and Allies family (Asteraceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,298 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in September.
Nationally it blooms mainly from September to October, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Calico Aster: observations by month (U.S.)
About Calico Aster
Symphyotrichum lateriflorum (common name calico aster or starved aster) is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family Asteraceae, native to eastern North America. In the British Isles it is still widely referenced under its old name, Aster lateriflorus syn. A. diffusus, A. vimineus.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Calico Aster by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont | 205 | September | Sep–Oct |
| New York | 161 | September | Sep–Oct |
| Mississippi | 150 | October | Oct–Nov |
| Pennsylvania | 91 | September | Sep–Oct |
| Maine | 83 | September | Aug–Oct |
| Indiana | 69 | September | Sep–Oct |
| Ohio | 65 | September | Sep–Oct |
| Wisconsin | 64 | September | Sep–Sep |
| North Carolina | 53 | October | Sep–Oct |
| Michigan | 48 | September | Aug–Sep |
| Illinois | 41 | September | Sep–Oct |
| New Hampshire | 33 | September | Sep–Sep |
| Massachusetts | 29 | September | Sep–Oct |
| Virginia | 27 | October | Oct–Oct |
| Minnesota | 23 | September | Aug–Oct |
| Maryland | 17 | September | Sep–Oct |
| Louisiana | 16 | October | Oct–Nov |
| Florida | 15 | November | Oct–Dec |
| Texas | 15 | October | Oct–Nov |
| Connecticut | 14 | September | Sep–Sep |
| New Jersey | 13 | September | Sep–Oct |
| West Virginia | 13 | September | Sep–Oct |
| Georgia | 10 | October | Oct–Oct |
| Tennessee | 9 | October | Sep–Oct |
| Alabama | 8 | October | Oct–Oct |
| Iowa | 7 | September | Sep–Sep |
| Kentucky | 6 | October | Oct–Oct |
| Arkansas | 5 | October | Oct–Oct |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Sunflowers, Daisies, Asters, and Allies)
black-eyed Susan
Common Yarrow
White Snakeroot
Chicory
Lawn daisy
Philadelphia fleabane
Pearly Everlasting
Blue Mistflower
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Calico Aster?
Nationally, September has the most observations, with the main season from September to October.
Where is Calico Aster most often seen?
The most observations come from Vermont, New York, Mississippi.