[5] Symphyotrichum ciliolatum can reach heights of up to 1.2 metres (3 feet 11 inches) and can spread via long rhizomes.

The leaves are typically heart-shaped with winged petioles.

Flowering occurs between late July and October.

The ray florets are blue or bluish purple, and the disc florets are yellow, becoming reddish purple with maturity.

It occurs across Canada from Yukon to Newfoundland, and in the northern United States from Montana to New York.