This is a very common forb species in the fields and meadows of much of North America from southern Manitoba down into Texas to central Florida up deep into southeast Canada. It is not used in conventional ornamental horticulture, being sold by any conventional nurseries. Some native plant nurseries sell some, usually as seed. It is usually considered as a weed in gardens and landscapes. However, it makes a good native wild flower in meadow situations that is good for many pollinators. it is one of several very similar wild aster species with small white flowers, sometimes tinged bluish or purplish, that includes the Heath Aster (Symphyotrichum ericoides), the Calico Aster (S. lateriflorus), the Hairy or Frost Aster (S. pilosum), and a few others. This Panicled species is recognized by its lance-linear leaves that are at least close to hairless, the "petals" or ray florets are 16 to 50 in each flower, and the dead, brown leaves typically curl up. This species forms dense colonies with its long rhizomes. It is very aggressive when it invades a garden from its small sunflower-like seed with hairs that are also like dandelion seed. My natural, native garden, including in part shade, has been invaded by some of this species and I keep pulling it out, but some of the underground stems (rhizomes) stay in the ground as what happens with Canada Thistle (the European Creeping Thistle), that also keeps invading. I love Panicled Aster out in wild fields.

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