Aster oblongifolius 'October Skies' - AROMATIC ASTER 'OCTOBER SKIES'

Aromatic aster 'October Skies' is a superb nativar and one of our all-time favorite perennials, because it:

   1) grows in dense ground-covering mounds that are completely covered with smaller blue flowers in the fall
   2) has a very late bloom period that peaks after all the native asters are finished flowering
   3) provides an important, late source of nectar for butterflies, including monarchs as they migrate back to Mexico 
   4) is a very adaptable plant to all soil types and levels of moisture
   5) is deer and rabbit resistant, black walnut, drought, and heat tolerant, and a virtually no-care plant
   6) makes a great cut flower and is an herb too - tea made from the roots was historically used to treat fevers. Crushed or rubbed leaves have a pleasant aroma.

This is a superior plant for public landscaping (for example, in dry traffic islands and big city containers) and smaller private gardens too - in borders, low-maintenance plantings, water-wise landscaping, cottage gardens, butterfly or pollinator gardens; it's a great edging plant and substitute for garden mums. Goes well with Asclepias tuberosa, Echinacea, Rudbeckia, Monarda and many other perennials.

New name for this aster is Symphyotrichum oblongifolium.

Picture copyright : US Perennial nursery

Blooming Time: September/November
Size: 1.5-2' tall x 2-2.5' wide
USDA Zones: 4 to 8
Culture: sun to half shade tough
Moisture Needs: dry to medium/moist
Origin: the wild species of A. oblongifolius is native to the Northeastern and central United States – grows on limestone glades, slopes, prairies and dry open ground. See distribution on USDA map. 
Deer/Rabbit Resistant: yes / yes
Attracts Butterflies or Pollinators: butterflies - monarchs, etc, hosts caterpillars of the Silvery Checkerspot Butterfly and several moths
Attracts Hummingbirds: no
Pot Size: 3.5" x 4" deep pot