Trending on Google Trends US (aster) with 100K+ searches search interest. This Arborist Is Urging You to Ditch the Porch Mums This Fall - and Replace Them With This Pretty Flower Instead veranda.com
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Store-bought chrysanthemums are ubiquitous in fall for their showy colors and thick blooms. Often paired next to a pumpkin display on porches , mums are the unofficial "it" flower of autumn - but perhaps we should think twice about that superlative. Though there's nothing inherently wrong with the flowers, they don't do much to help our important pollinators.
Andrew Conboy , an ISA-certified arborist, said in a recent Instagram reel , "Mums are an incredibly popular fall decoration, but they offer little support to North American wildlife. Since they've been cultivated for their showy double blooms, they produce little pollen or nectar." He added, "As non-native plants, they did not co-evolve with our local ecosystems and do not serve as a host plant for our native butterflies and moths."
The good news? Conboy said there's another gorgeous fall flower that's ready to star in your porch display, seasonal beds, or container gardens: native asters (specifically from the Symphyotrichum or Eurybia genera). He said, "These keystone species are powerhouse plants, serving as a host for dozens of butterfly and moth caterpillars and providing vital nectar for countless pollinators, including specialist bees."
Beyond being helpful to the environment, these flowering perennials are absolutely gorgeous. With shades of blue, purple, lavender, pink, and white and happy yellow centers, they pair perfectly with other fall flowers such as goldenrod and autumn joy sedum . Take this as your excuse to ditch the store-bought mums once and for all - these blooming beauties will look even more striking next to your porch pumpkins and seasonal decor.
Jaime Milan (she/her) is the deputy digital editor for VERANDA, where she manages the brand's cross-platform digital strategy. She also writes and edits dozens of stories each month about design, architecture, gardening, jewelry, travel, entertaining, shopping, news, and trends. Prior to joining VERANDA, Jaime was a digital editor for over 10 years at national news and lifestyle brands and has written everything from in-depth packages and celebrity news to features and holiday gift guides. In her spare time, she can be found shopping at the antique store, cooking, gardening, or teaching her mini Australian Shepherd, Gumbo, new tricks. Follow her on Instagram at @jaimemmilan .
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