Aster oblongifolium 'October Skies' - October Skies Aromatic Aster
Aster oblongifolium 'October Skies' - October Skies Aromatic Aster
October Skies Aromatic Aster is a compact native perennial with stiff hairy blue-green lance like foliage. Clusters of small sky blue flowers with yellow centers bloom from late summer into fall, and becomes a darker blue in October. Grows best in full sun and dry to medium well-drained soils.
Aster oblongifolium is a host of the Silvery Checkerspot Butterflies and of several moths.
|
Type: |
Perennial |
|
Origins: |
East and Central N. America, SE Native |
|
Height: |
1.5’ - 2’ |
|
Spread: |
1.5’ - 2’ |
|
Spacing: |
1.5’ |
|
USDA Hardiness Zone: |
3 - 8 |
|
Culture: |
Full Sun |
|
Bloom Color: |
Blue |
|
Season of Interest: |
Summer, Fall |
MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Low Maintenance Plant. Susceptible to powdery mildew if in poorly-drained soil. Cut stalks after flowering to prevent self-seeding.
LANDSCAPE USES: Accents or Group Plantings, Borders, Woodland Gardens, Wildlife Gardens, Naturalized Areas, and Containers.
COMPANION PLANTS: Salvia, Dianthus, Phlox
IMAGES: Photos by Andrey Zharkikh, (1) Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'October Skies' syn. Aster oblongifolius), (2) 2014.09.18_18.31.51_DSCN1916, (3) 2014.09.18_18.31.02_DSCN1913, (4) Ulimw, Symphyotrichum oblongifolium october skies aster oblongifolius Ulimw 2020, CC BY-SA 4.0, (5) Quadell, October Skies Aster aster oblongifolius 1, CC BY 3.0
*As plants have ranges in appearance they may not appear as the images shown.