Aster laevis
$29.99
Lavender-blue flower panicles with yellow centers rise above smooth green foliage on Symphyotrichum laeve var. laeve, an upright perennial for sunny prairie and pollinator plantings.
- Description
- Additional information
Description
Lavender-blue flower panicles with yellow centers rise above smooth green foliage on Symphyotrichum laeve var. laeve from late summer into fall. Its upright branching stems form loose clumps and small drifts that fit prairie-style beds, pollinator gardens, and mixed borders.
Plant in full sun or partial shade in fertile loam, clay, or sand that remains moist but drains well. The plant also tolerates dry conditions. Give its branching stems room to spread, and avoid placing it beside aggressive taller plants that may outcompete it.
The flowers provide nectar for butterflies and attract other pollinators, while cut stems last for several days in arrangements. Sow seed at a depth equal to its length, take softwood cuttings, or divide rhizomes to make new plants. Watch for powdery mildew and other foliage diseases.
Additional information
| Height | 3 ft – 4 ft |
|---|---|
| Spread | 1 ft – 2 ft |
| Flowering months | August, September, October |
| Synonyms | Aster laeviformis, Aster laevis, Aster laevis var. laevis, Symphyotrichum laeve |
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Hazardous | unknown |
| Variegated | unknown |
| Color flower autumn | Purple, Blue, Yellow |
| Color flower summer | Purple, Blue, Yellow |
| Aspect | South |
| Foliage | Deciduous |
| Habit | Clump-former |
| Moisture | Moist but Well Drained, Well Drained Soil |
| Ph | Alkaline |
| Position | Full sun, Partial shade |
| Shape | Upright |
| Suggest planting location | Pollinator Garden, Flowering borders, Cut flower use, Garden edging and borders, Prairie style planting |
| Type | Perennial |
| Use for | Butterfly-Friendly, Cutting Garden, Pollinator-Friendly |
| Drought resistance | yes |
| Soil | Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Local names | Smooth Aster, Smooth Blue Aster, Smooth-Leaf Aster, Purple Aster, Smooth Blue American-Aster |
| Blomidon Item No | ZASTLA0001G |
| Usps | Lavender-blue rays surround clear yellow centers., Late flowers support pollinators and suit cutting gardens., Full sun and moist, well-drained soil give the best display. |
| Cultivation | |
| Propagation | Sow seed at a depth equal to its length, or take softwood cuttings or divide rhizomes. |
| Diseases | Watch for powdery mildew and other foliage diseases. |
| Watering instructions | Provide moist, well-drained soil; the plant also tolerates dry conditions. |
| Sunlight instructions | Grow in full sun; partial shade is tolerated. |