Smooth Blue Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve) Plugs
Smooth Blue Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve ) perennial wildflower hardy in zones 3-8. Native to the Central and Eastern United States, native to Wisconsin.
The plant has daisy-like lavender-blue petals surrounding a golden-yellow center disc. Flowers are arranged in clusters and are fragrant. Each flower cluster has 13-23 ray florets—blooms from August, September, and October. When crushed, the rigid stems branch out from the base, giving off a balsam-like scent. The flower provides nectar and pollen, and makes an excellent cut flower, has about 7-10 days of vase life.
It attracts butterflies, birds, and pollinators. It is a host plant for the pearl crescent butterfly (Phyciodes tharos), way-lined emerald moth (Synchlora aerata), and silvery checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis). It requires full sun and grows to a mature height of 2-4’ with a spread of 1-2’.
Does best in clay, loam, and sand. It does best on loamy soil, moist but tolerates dry soil.
The plant has upright, tough stems that take on a shade of blue. Leaves are smooth, alternate, entire, up to 3” long and 1 ½” wide. The root system is a fibrous, non-aggressive rhizomatous root system. It will spread slowly. Harvest when flowers are fully open for drying.
Companion plants are yarrow, black-eyed Susan, echinacea, goldenrod, coreopsis, compass plant, and butterfly weed. It is deer resistant as they find asters unpalatable. Divide every 2-3 years in spring, as leaves emerge.
Historically, aster roots have a bittersweet flavor. They were used in China to relieve coughing and lung conditions. Aster tea was also used to treat earaches, gas pains, stomach aches, fever, and other ailments.
Smooth Blue Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve ) perennial wildflower hardy in zones 3-8. Native to the Central and Eastern United States, native to Wisconsin.
The plant has daisy-like lavender-blue petals surrounding a golden-yellow center disc. Flowers are arranged in clusters and are fragrant. Each flower cluster has 13-23 ray florets—blooms from August, September, and October. When crushed, the rigid stems branch out from the base, giving off a balsam-like scent. The flower provides nectar and pollen, and makes an excellent cut flower, has about 7-10 days of vase life.
It attracts butterflies, birds, and pollinators. It is a host plant for the pearl crescent butterfly (Phyciodes tharos), way-lined emerald moth (Synchlora aerata), and silvery checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis). It requires full sun and grows to a mature height of 2-4’ with a spread of 1-2’.
Does best in clay, loam, and sand. It does best on loamy soil, moist but tolerates dry soil.
The plant has upright, tough stems that take on a shade of blue. Leaves are smooth, alternate, entire, up to 3” long and 1 ½” wide. The root system is a fibrous, non-aggressive rhizomatous root system. It will spread slowly. Harvest when flowers are fully open for drying.
Companion plants are yarrow, black-eyed Susan, echinacea, goldenrod, coreopsis, compass plant, and butterfly weed. It is deer resistant as they find asters unpalatable. Divide every 2-3 years in spring, as leaves emerge.
Historically, aster roots have a bittersweet flavor. They were used in China to relieve coughing and lung conditions. Aster tea was also used to treat earaches, gas pains, stomach aches, fever, and other ailments.
Smooth Blue Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve ) perennial wildflower hardy in zones 3-8. Native to the Central and Eastern United States, native to Wisconsin.
The plant has daisy-like lavender-blue petals surrounding a golden-yellow center disc. Flowers are arranged in clusters and are fragrant. Each flower cluster has 13-23 ray florets—blooms from August, September, and October. When crushed, the rigid stems branch out from the base, giving off a balsam-like scent. The flower provides nectar and pollen, and makes an excellent cut flower, has about 7-10 days of vase life.
It attracts butterflies, birds, and pollinators. It is a host plant for the pearl crescent butterfly (Phyciodes tharos), way-lined emerald moth (Synchlora aerata), and silvery checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis). It requires full sun and grows to a mature height of 2-4’ with a spread of 1-2’.
Does best in clay, loam, and sand. It does best on loamy soil, moist but tolerates dry soil.
The plant has upright, tough stems that take on a shade of blue. Leaves are smooth, alternate, entire, up to 3” long and 1 ½” wide. The root system is a fibrous, non-aggressive rhizomatous root system. It will spread slowly. Harvest when flowers are fully open for drying.
Companion plants are yarrow, black-eyed Susan, echinacea, goldenrod, coreopsis, compass plant, and butterfly weed. It is deer resistant as they find asters unpalatable. Divide every 2-3 years in spring, as leaves emerge.
Historically, aster roots have a bittersweet flavor. They were used in China to relieve coughing and lung conditions. Aster tea was also used to treat earaches, gas pains, stomach aches, fever, and other ailments.