Machaeranthera Species, Bigelow's Tansyaster, Purple Tansy Aster, Wild Aster

Machaerantherabigelovii

Family
Asteraceae (ass-ter-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Machaeranthera (mak-ee-RANTH-er-uh)
Species
bigelovii (big-eh-LOV-ee-eye)
Synonym
Aster ambiguus
Aster ianthinus
Aster latifolius
Aster macrophyllus
Aster nobilis
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Herbaceous
Height
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Spacing
9-12 in. (22-30 cm)
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)
15-18 in. (38-45 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
Bloom Color
Lavender
Bloom Time
Late Summer/Early Fall
Mid Fall
Late Fall/Early Winter
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic)
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
Seed Collecting
Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed
Collect seedhead/pod when flowers fade; allow to dry
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Los Alamos, New Mexico

Santa Fe, New Mexico

South Boston, Virginia

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

2
positives
0
neutral
0
negative
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P
Los Alamos, NM (Zone 5a) | October 2008 | positive

This lovely wild flower blooms in the fall. It covers fields all over New Mexico and is even used in the landscaping of wild areas. It ...Read More

M
M
Benton, KY (Zone 7a) | February 2005 | positive

These are late Summer wildflowers that color entire banks and roadsides in some areas. Found in plains areas and in openings in confifero...Read More

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