Ionactis linariifolia (Flaxleaf Aster)
Regular price
$10.00
Plant Specifications
Bloom Period: Fall
Size: 1' - 2' tall
Uses: Container gardens, Dry areas, Erosion control, Pollinator gardens
Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Partial Sun
Moisture: Dry, Average
Soil Type: Clay, Sandy, Rocky
Please note: WBN does not ship potted plants. Please see our pickup instructions for details.
Ionactis linariifolia is called the flaxleaf aster, or the flaxleaf ankle-aster. Low statured and drought tolerant, the flaxleaf aster has a bushy growth habit and slender, stiff leaves. Unless in bloom, you wouldn't think it's a close relative of the fall-blooming asters.
The flaxleaf aster flowers late in the season with dainty lavender daisy-like blooms with yellow centers. It grows in dry to average soils with a sandy or rocky texture, including on hilly inclines, and even in rocky crevasses. It's tolerant of loamy or part-clay soils so long as they remain dry and well draining. This species is susceptible to consistently moist, poor draining soils, and over-shading from taller plants.
The plant has potential in xeric/rock gardens, or could be kept long term in ceramic or porous pots for container gardening, so long as the potting soil is well draining and not high in compost / organic matter. Since boulevard and sidewalk (a.k.a. "hellstrip") conditions often have blazing sun and dry/poor soil, this species is a brilliant choice with other drought-tolerant, low growing species.
Plants were propagated by seed from a wild population in King and Queen County, Virginia.