Plant identification - Aster - Ask Extension
I have this shrubby plant doing very well in my garden, but doesn’t look like anything I’ve planted. I haven’t seen any flowers yet. I’m try...
Knowledgebase
Plant identification - Aster #880268
Asked August 05, 2024, 1:34 PM EDT
I have this shrubby plant doing very well in my garden, but doesn’t look like anything I’ve planted. I haven’t seen any flowers yet. I’m trying to figure out if it stays or goes. Thank you!
Montgomery County Maryland
Expert Response
Hi,
It looks like thyme. Does it smell when you crush the leaves. Could you give us a picture that is zoomed out and the approximate size?
Emily
Hi Emily,
I took a few more pictures. The plant has a scent, but not thyme. It also didn’t taste like thyme. I know, but couldn’t help taste a small leaf. I meant to add a tape measure to the photo, but forgot. The plant is about a foot tall by 2-3 ft wide. It’s got rather woody stems. Thank you!
Janice
It is still difficult to see identifying details from your photo.
Is the plant intertwined with other plants in your garden? Is all the growth coming from one main trunk or are there many stems growing close together?
It looks similar to some fall blooming plants like Goldenrods or Asters:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/fall-flowering-plants/
or even weeds such as Lambsquarter, once it is mature:
https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/view/2294
We think it's likely to flower soon, and that will reveal its identity.
Share a photo, and we'll be happy to i.d.
Christine
Is the plant intertwined with other plants in your garden? Is all the growth coming from one main trunk or are there many stems growing close together?
It looks similar to some fall blooming plants like Goldenrods or Asters:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/fall-flowering-plants/
or even weeds such as Lambsquarter, once it is mature:
https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/view/2294
We think it's likely to flower soon, and that will reveal its identity.
Share a photo, and we'll be happy to i.d.
Christine
Hi Christine,
I will follow up with a photo of the flowers once it blooms. The plant is supported by a few woody stems. Far fewer than I expected when I got a look at the base. I tried to plant mostly native plants here about 2 years ago. Some did well while others didn’t so I tried to fill in, but lost track of what I added. Then of course I also have weeds that I wasn’t able to completely eliminate.
Thank you for your help!
You're welcome.
We look forward to seeing the blooms.
We look forward to seeing the blooms.
Hello again,
This plant finally started to bloom. I think it’s an aster, but not sure which. I now remember planting some stems from a friend’s garden, but they didn’t grow well and I thought it died. It certainly didn’t look like this. Thanks!
Janice
Hello Janice,
Yes, we agree this is a type of Aster. Which species we can't tell, as there are dozens that can be grown in Maryland, and many look alike. It might be one of the popularly-grown species like New England Aster or New York Aster, but there are too many possibilities for us to be certain.
Miri
Yes, we agree this is a type of Aster. Which species we can't tell, as there are dozens that can be grown in Maryland, and many look alike. It might be one of the popularly-grown species like New England Aster or New York Aster, but there are too many possibilities for us to be certain.
Miri
Thanks Miri!
On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, 9:27 AM, Ask Extension wrote:
You're welcome!
