smooth Blue ASter
Symphyotrichum laeveBloom time: August - October
Bloom Color: Violet-blue to lavender
Height: 2-4 ft
Sun exposure: Full/Partial
Soil Moisture: Medium
Deer resistant: Yes
Other Common Names: Glaucous aster, Smooth-Leaf Aster, Michaelmas Daisy, Native Blue Aster
Germination code: Code A
Fun facts: The word aster means ‘star’ in Greek, giving it a name that matches the flower's starburst shape. Smooth asters are known as composite flowers, this means there are many tiny individual flowers instead of the single flower look it gives off. The center of it changes color throughout its life span, starting off with a yellow center it slowly matures to a reddish-purple and ends with the color brown when the seeds develop. Smooth asters act as a host plant for dozens of species of native butterfly and moth caterpillars.
You may also like…
