×Solidaster: The Happy Accident That Became a Garden Favorite
Sometimes the best things in life happen by accident, and ×Solidaster is living proof of that! This cheerful hybrid plant came about when goldenrod (Solidago) decided to get cozy with an aster (Symphyotrichum), creating what gardeners often call a botanical love child. The result? A delightful perennial that combines the best traits of both parent plants.
What Exactly Is ×Solidaster?
×Solidaster is what botanists call an intergeneric hybrid – basically, it’s the offspring of two different plant genera that somehow managed to cross-pollinate. The × symbol at the beginning of the name is botanical shorthand for hybrid, so you know you’re dealing with something special right from the start.
This hybrid doesn’t occur naturally in North American landscapes, since it’s a human-created cross. While it’s not native to our region, it’s also not considered invasive, making it a neutral choice for gardeners who want something a bit different.
Why Gardeners Love This Hybrid
×Solidaster has earned its place in many gardens for several compelling reasons:
- Produces masses of small, bright yellow, daisy-like flowers when many other plants are winding down for the season
- Blooms from late summer through fall, providing crucial nectar when pollinators need it most
- Makes excellent cut flowers that last well in arrangements
- Requires minimal maintenance once established
- Tolerates drought conditions beautifully
Garden Design and Landscape Role
This versatile hybrid works wonderfully in several garden styles. It’s particularly at home in cottage gardens, where its informal, slightly wild appearance fits right in. Perennial borders benefit from its late-season color, and it’s perfect for naturalized areas where you want that meadow-like feel without the meadow maintenance.
The plant typically reaches 2-3 feet tall and spreads about 18-24 inches wide, making it ideal for mid-border placement. Its upright growth habit and airy flower clusters create nice texture contrast against more solid-looking perennials.
Growing Conditions and Care
×Solidaster is refreshingly easy to grow, thriving in USDA hardiness zones 4-8. Here’s what this hybrid needs to be happy:
- Sunlight: Full sun (6+ hours daily) for best flowering
- Soil: Well-drained soil of average fertility – it’s not picky about soil type
- Water: Drought tolerant once established, but appreciates regular water during its first season
- Spacing: Plant 18-24 inches apart to allow for mature spread
Planting and Maintenance Tips
Plant ×Solidaster in spring after the last frost danger has passed. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper, and backfill with native soil – no need for fancy amendments.
Once established, this hybrid practically takes care of itself. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming, or leave them for seed-eating birds. Every 3-4 years, divide clumps in early spring to maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding.
Pollinator and Wildlife Benefits
One of ×Solidaster’s greatest contributions to the garden ecosystem is its late-season nectar production. When most other flowers have finished blooming, this hybrid continues pumping out the sweet stuff that bees, butterflies, and other pollinators desperately need to prepare for winter.
The seeds also provide food for finches and other small birds, extending the plant’s wildlife value well into winter.
Consider Native Alternatives
While ×Solidaster is a lovely garden addition, native plant enthusiasts might prefer to grow the parent plants instead. Native goldenrods (Solidago species) and native asters (Symphyotrichum species) offer similar late-season blooms with even greater ecological benefits. These natives have co-evolved with local wildlife and typically support more specialized pollinators and beneficial insects.
Popular native alternatives include Solidago speciosa (Showy Goldenrod), Solidago rigida (Stiff Goldenrod), and Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (New England Aster).
The Bottom Line
×Solidaster represents a happy middle ground for gardeners who want reliable late-season color without high maintenance demands. While it’s not native, it’s not problematic either – just a cheerful hybrid that does its job well. Whether you choose this hybrid or opt for its native parent species, you’ll be providing valuable resources for pollinators when they need them most.
