Santa Fe In Bloom: Wild Asters: Jewels of the Santa Fe Landscape

Sep. 1—The end of summer and fall in Santa Fe is truly unparalleled, with a landscape that is uniquely diverse. Late-blooming jewel-toned perennials and grasses begin to fill the natural terrain with texture and vibrance. Even during droughts, the region presents a striking and rugged beauty, highlighting the resilience and stark elegance of its dry climate. For readers who may not be aware, the climate in Santa Fe is called semi-arid steppe, as classified by The Köppen climate classification system, and not "high desert" as many proclaim. It is an easy misnomer due to Santa Fe's high elevation and desert-like landscape.

One of the best parts of our autumn scenery is the wildflowers that flourish from mid to late August through October. A standout among them is the aster, which predominantly blooms in vibrant bluish-purple (and occasionally white) and can be spotted virtually everywhere, from roadsides to abandoned fields to parking lots. Asters are also a popular choice for fall gardens, though the cultivated varieties may differ from the wild ones you encounter.

Asters are a diverse genus within the huge Asteraceae family, comprising around 250 species of native wildflowers that thrive across North America, Europe and Asia, and are present in nearly every U.S. state. They are native plants that are considered herbaceous with many species blooming in the late summer throughout the fall. All aster flowers are compound flower heads made up of disc flowers (making up the center of the head) and ray flowers (what we call "petals").

If you have the space in your garden (as asters do spread) and would like to plant them, the Native Plant Society of New Mexico is an excellent online resource for information on various species. Their Guide to Native Plants for the Santa Fe Landscape includes a section on annuals and biennials that lists and describes different aster varieties.

Purple Asters are common, but there is not just one species of them; they encompass a range of species, each with its own unique characteristics. Purple aster (Dieteria bigelovii, synonym Machaeranthera bigelovii) has a rosy-purple color with a yellow center, growing up to 3' and is both annual and biennial that reseeds. It can look weedy in the garden until it blooms in late summer to early fall, so it is best to plant it early in the season.

Purple Tansy, Hoary Aster or Sand Daisy (Dieteria canescens, synonym Machaerantherera canescens) is also purple with a yellow center and is an annual, biennial or a perennial. It is similar to the Purple Aster and can be difficult to distinguish in the wild and grows in late summer-fall. Tansy aster (Machaeranthera tanacetifolia) is an annual and is purple with a yellow center and is fast growing and blooms earlier from May to October. Tansy aster tends to be shorter than the Purple Aster and Purple Tansy but will also spread out.

For a vibrant autumn display, consider pairing asters with brightly colored companion plants like goldenrod, Mexican Hat flower, Maximilian's sunflower and chamisa. The mix of hues and textures enhances the visual appeal, perfectly complementing the jewel-toned aster. As botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer beautifully notes in Braiding Sweetgrass, referring to the dynamic pairing of Asters and Goldenrod: "Alone, each is a botanical superlative. Together, the visual effects are stunning. Purple and gold, the heraldic colors of the king and queen of the meadow, create a regal procession in complementary colors."

The name Aster is derived from the Latin word astrum, which means "star." In Greek legend, the aster was created by the tears of the goddess Astraea, also known as the "Starry Maid." Aside from being a highlight in autumn gardens and landscapes they are an important part of the food chain for native bees, honeybees, butterflies and migrating Monarchs. Their late-season blooms provide crucial nourishment for our beloved pollinators as they prepare for winter hibernation or migration.

In Floriography, or the language of flowers, asters signify patience, love of variety, elegance, daintiness and afterthought (or the wish that things happened differently). Asters (and Morning Glories) are the birth flower for the month of September.

Carole Aine Langrall