Native Perennial
Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 2–4'
Moisture: Medium-Wet, Medium, Medium-Dry
Soil: Sandy loam, clay loam
Bloom: Blue-Purple
Bloom Time: August–September
Attracts: Pollinators, butterflies, birds
Resistant: Drought
Host Plant: Checkerspot & Pearl Crescent butterflies
Keystone plant that supports 177 different species!
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Smooth Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve) The leaves on Smooth Blue Aster are indeed smooth to the touch. The rigid stem often takes on a shade of blue, allowing Smooth Blue Aster to stand tall during its long late summer to mid-fall bloom. A non-aggressive rhizomatous root system allows the plant to spread slowly. In a garden setting, Smooth Blue Aster will persist for many years.
The beautiful late-blooming flowers attract many different pollinators. Smooth Blue Aster is also a host plant for the Silvery Checkerspot and the Pearl Crescent butterflies.
Source: www.wildflower.org