#douglas aster

[pnwnativeplants]

Douglas aster flowers and seed heads (Symphyotrichum subspicatum)

[dat-aster]

Last day of August in the garden

[flowerishness]

Symphyotrichum subspicatum (Douglas’s aster) and  Apis mellifera (Western or European honeybee)

Today I took an early morning walk in Campbell Valley Park and ran into our little native Douglas’s aster still shaking off the dewdrops. Who should amble by a moment later but a European honeybee, hard at work when most people are still drinking their first cup of coffee. There are 12 species of honeybees in the world but Apis mellifera is by far the most common. Because it makes excellent honey and does double-duty as a commercial crop pollinator, the European honeybee is now found on every continent except Antarctica. 

The city of Vancouver is at the ocean end of a long valley and many crops are grown here, especially blueberries. Professional beekeepers travel from field to field with their hives but at this time of year there’s not much business and the honeybees are free to roam.

[douglasaster]

Heart of rust

An old watercolor painting. I hope you like it.

[pnwnativeplants]

Douglas aster appears to be a favorite for these woodland skippers who appeared in my yard as soon as the asters startes to bloom

[pnwnativeplants]

July Blooms

Erigeron glaucus // Seaside Fleabane

Stachys colleyae // Cooley's hedge nettle (doesn't sting!)

Eriophyllum lanatum // Oregon sunshine

Aruncus dioicus // Goat's beard

Allium cernuum // Nodding onion

Spirea douglasii // Douglas spirea

Mahonia nervosa // Creeping oregon grape

Symphyotrichum subspicatum // Douglas aster (Bee diversity superstar!)

Anaphalis margaritacea // Pearly everlasting

[pnwnativeplants]

[pnwnativeplants]

Symphyotrichum subspicatus or douglas aster is an herbaceous perennial which can grow to about 3ft in height. They are tolerant of a wide range of conditions, from dry to moist soils and full sun to partial shade. They’re often found along saltwater shorelines. They spread through rhizomes underground, which will mean many free flowers for years to come.