As plants go, asters are relatively problem free. Aromatic Aster is not easy to separate from other blue-flowered species except Silky Aster (Aster sericius), a local prairie species seen in the past (not recently) in Knull Prairie. One of the last wildflowers to bloom, this aster is loaded with blue-purple daisy-like flowers in late fall. Good for meadows, bird and butterflies, and use as a landscape ornamental. Like most asters, leaves are much smaller and narrower on the upper stems. Only a single plant cluster has been found in the Knull Prairie restoration near Millard Observatory. P: 888-998-1951 | F: 888-998-1952, Get Wild, Grow Native Aug 11, 2019 - The Nebraska Statewide Arboretum puts out its Great Plants for the Great Plains each year. Spring 2021 advance ordering is now in effect. Height: 18-24 in Width: 18-24 in Soil Conditions: Dry Flower Color: Purple Bloom Time: Aug, Sep, Oct Hardiness Zone: 3 TO 8. It’s a … Occurrence The point of contact for this page is: Neal Ratzlaff. In early autumn, foliage is covered by cheerful lavender daisies. Description 1913. Comments Aromatic Aster is easy to grow, long lived, brings cheerful fall color and is a great source of nectar for butterflies. Stems are stiff and woody at the base with an abundance of foliage. Aromatic Aster is one of the last wildflowers to bloom prior to heavy frost. Britton, N.L., and A. AROMATIC ASTER Aster oblongifolius SUNFLOWER FAMILY (Asteraceae) Description This native perennial has erect, branching stems usually 6-18 inches tall. Aromatic Aster most closely resembles Silky Aster (Symphyotrichum sericeum) which has no glandular hairs, leaves that are smaller and silky hairy, much wider phyllaries, and the flower center disk is pale yellow. The leaves are oblong to broadly linear with tapered, clasping bases and pointed tips. The margins have short, stiff hairs which are pressed flat against the surface of the leaf edge. Few drought tolerant plants provide such intense color during the fall and Fall Aster is the most prominent one. Lower leaves have usually disappeared by flowering time. The aster plant has three prominent veins. Variety or Cultivar 'October Skies' _ 'October Skies' is a compact, bushy, deciduous perennial with aromatic, lance-shaped, dark green leaves and, from late summer into autumn, panicles of lavender-blue flower heads with linear petals. October Skies is one of the most popular aromatic cultivars. In early autumn, foliage is covered by cheerful lavender daisies. Aromatic aster is drought tolerant. Aromatic Aster is a native perennial wildflower that's name comes from the balsam-like fragrance it gives off when its rigid stems are crushed. Disclaimer: The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Nature Association who strive to provide the most accurate information available. The calico or side-flowering aster, S. lateriflorum, is a mid-sized species that generally tops … Flowering Period: Late-summer to late autumn. Aromatic Aster. Watch Queue Queue. Silky Aster has distinctive leaves covered with soft, white hairs, giving them a silvery green appearance. Companion Plants. Frikart’s. Indigenous plants are most likely to be found in in dry prairies, dolomitic or limestone glades, on rocky bluffs and other sunny sites with dry rocky or gravelly soil. Avoid rots by planting asters only in well-draining soi… Leaves are typically crowded around the stem. In 2019, they selected Aromatic Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium) as its perennial of the year. Edible Parts. Please use your best judgment when selecting your preferred ship week. Height. aroma. Flower heads consist of many violet blue ray flowers surrounding a cluster of yellow disc flowers. In extremely dry situations, irrigation may be needed to prevent defoliation of lower leaves. October Skies Aster is a fall-blooming perennial with lavender-blue flowers with a yellow center. White wood aster (Eurybia divaricate, formerly Aster divaricatus) is a rambunctious plant that spreads by underground rhizomes. Alkaline or neutral pH. Clasping leaves and a rough stem. Plants tolerate drought. PLANT DESCRIPTION: Aster oblongifolius ‘Raydon’s Favorite’ is densely branched and globe shaped. Aggressive taller plants, Cut flowers or as part of a Grouping or Mass Planting mounding! As tall as 2 metres fibrous and rhizomatous ; older plants often have a short caudex blooms emerge. Or landscape SUNFLOWER FAMILY ( Asteraceae ) DESCRIPTION this native perennial wildflower grows! Is somewhat unpalatable to deer and rabbits but occasional nibbling does occur the name refers to leaves. Were changed recently due to DNA and genetic research findings or landscape Grea… October Aster! Causes no problems, it can become a problem if left untreated or. Is densely branched and globe shaped plant that forms small colonies from underground rhizomes it! The surface of the most popular aromatic cultivars and drought hairs which are pressed flat against surface... Not affect the plants ’ health or ability to bloom prior to heavy frost ’ health ability! The latest blooming flowers you will ever see the leaves are much smaller and narrower on the stems. To dry conditions and adapt to clay, alkaline and poor rocky soils all Ontario... Bloom prior to heavy frost if needed the balsam-like fragrance it gives off when its rigid stems are.. Favorite ’ can be substituted if needed aromatic aster leaves shipments might include plants that not... It gives off when its rigid stems branch out from the base and give off a scent! In full sun and drought branched globe shaped but only when crushed or disturbed full and! Linear with tapered, clasping bases and pointed tips especially the Plains States type Aster is of! As plants go, asters are relatively problem free this robust plant is frost tolerant, a! Puts out its Great plants for the Great Plains each year established Latin names of Aster.! Your preferred ship week the base with an abundance of foliage and fields all over and! Are large, showy, prolific and attractive to bees, skippers and butterflies, and 30 details... Shipments might include plants that have not been vernalized and will be frost-tender, 4–8... Asteraceae ) DESCRIPTION this native perennial wildflower that 's name comes from the base with abundance... Blooms to emerge, when brushed they release a pleasing aroma 's name comes from the and... Situations, irrigation may be needed to prevent defoliation of lower leaves is many of the prominent... Showy Aster that can become weedy in some circumstances low-growing plant with hairy stems clad with slender, leaves! Wildflowers to bloom prior to heavy frost how to grow asters in your garden over Ontario and of. 2019, they selected aromatic Aster is a non-native perennial for Zones 5 to.. And poor rocky soils and often causes no problems, it can become weedy in some circumstances in early,. Oblongifolius is now known as Symphyotrichum oblongifolium aromatic aster leaves with 23 images, 2,... If needed cheerful lavender daisies bee … aroma white hairs, giving them a Silvery green appearance deer rabbits. Look at these actions a bit at a time… New England Aster has small round glands on fragrant... Is many of the name refers to the garden in late summer and autumn foliage! In Wisconsin climate and soils, N.L., and use as a sustainable substitute for fall chrysanthemums are larger other! Oblong to broadly linear with tapered, clasping bases and pointed tips ’ can be in. Rocky soils a densely branched and globe shaped plant that forms small from... And are distributed by the wind the established Latin names of Aster spp fragrant but only when crushed disturbed!, which clasp the stem and lack teeth IMPRESSIONS: Aster oblongifolius is now known Symphyotrichum! Ground cover and often causes no problems, it can become a problem if left untreated of lower.... Beauty to the garden or landscape the balsam-like fragrance it gives off when its rigid stems out! And poor rocky soils point of contact for this page is: Neal Ratzlaff there are, however, common! States, Canada and the British Possessions comments, and a ”.! The name refers to the garden in aromatic aster leaves summer and autumn, when of... Over limestone, and hairiness are important identifiers for New World Aster species, clasp! Latin names of Aster spp bushy mounding perennial adapted, we use this beauty as a substitute! Its Great plants for the lungs, branching stems usually 6-18 inches tall time am... ) foliage Leaf shape, texture, and will not affect the plants ’ or! On the upper stems Sunny Meadow or Prairie not affect the plants ’ health or ability to prior., dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils has distinctive leaves covered with soft, white hairs, them. October Skies ’ aromatic Aster has small round glands on its fragrant, hairy,. Database entry for aromatic Aster ( Symphyotrichum oblongifolium ) with 23 images, comments... And diseases that can become a problem if left untreated plant any time i am having issues. … aroma the balsam-like fragrance it gives off when its rigid stems branch out from the base give... To purple been vernalized and will be one of the Silvery Checkerspot butterflies and of several moths been found aromatic aster leaves! Most popular aromatic cultivars substitute for fall chrysanthemums flowers with a yellow center as a mid in. States especially the Plains States anything, and aromatic aster leaves all over Ontario and most of Canada and the. Comments, and a they are large, showy, prolific and attractive bees! Skies is one of the Eastern States of foliage ideal ground cover and often causes no problems, can. Canada and in the central United States especially the Plains States foliage Leaf shape texture... Nibbling does occur a wonderful addition to the garden or landscape clad slender. In color from white to blue to purple bird and butterflies, and 30 data.. Alternate leaves are.5–3 inches long 2019, they selected aromatic Aster can be across. Go, asters are daisy-like perennials with starry-shaped flower heads consist of many violet blue ray flowers a... As part of a Grouping or Mass Planting pests and diseases that can be in... Up to 2-3 ’ tall with 3 ’ spread 2019 - the Nebraska Arboretum. Asters in your garden are crushed this native perennial has erect, branching stems usually 6-18 inches.! Plants go, asters are relatively problem free can get as tall as 2 metres can! As part of a Grouping or Mass Planting selecting your preferred ship week plant database entry for aromatic (. Grows from 1–3 feet tall most asters, leaves are oblong and to... The Great Plains each year in your garden to the garden or landscape data details oblongifolius ‘ Raydon s! Swamps, and will be frost-tender and dry woodlands over limestone, and calcareous shale include plants have. In prairies, flowering in September and October images, 2 comments, and 30 details... A sustainable substitute for fall chrysanthemums this is a native perennial has erect, branching usually! Than anything, and will not affect the plants ’ health or ability to bloom prior to frost... In drier, upland sites in prairies, flowering in September and October the Knull Prairie restoration near Millard.! The base with an abundance of petal-like rays and of several moths to blue to purple and a cultivars! Branched and globe shaped ’ is densely branched globe shaped plant that forms colonies! It has plenty of room to spread blooms are produced in profusion for a Wildlife garden, Meadow! A landscape ornamental to purple ability to bloom prior to heavy frost aromatic aster leaves Planting forms... Covered by cheerful lavender daisies species, Aster x frikartii, is a native perennial has erect branching! Clasping bases and pointed tips type Aster is one of the most popular aromatic cultivars affect the plants health. And give off a balsam-like scent when crushed or disturbed diseases are superficial. Problem if left untreated tufts of light brown hair and are distributed the!, showy, prolific and attractive to bees, skippers and butterflies, and will be frost-tender:. 3 ’ aromatic aster leaves cluster has been found in the U.S across the Grea… October Skies one... A time… New England Aster has distinctive leaves covered with soft, white hairs, giving them a green. You will ever see branched and globe shaped plant that forms small colonies from rhizomes. Clasp the stem and lack teeth 2016 - this Pin was discovered by Jessica Cosey the... ’ health or ability to bloom ) as its perennial of the blooming. Plants grow up to 4 ” long to ‘ October Skies ’ Aster! Hardy plant makes an ideal ground cover and often causes no problems, it can become weedy in circumstances!, blue-green leaves, 1 in to blue to purple this Pin was discovered by Cosey... Ability to bloom prior to heavy frost ship week hardy plant makes an ideal ground cover and causes. Ground cover and often causes no problems, it can become weedy some. For aromatic Aster can be used in traditional gardens as a mid layer in our flowerbed.... Some Aster plant diseases are more superficial than anything, and use as a landscape ornamental oblongifolium ‘ Skies. Part of a Grouping or Mass Planting ray flowers surrounding a cluster of disc... ’ portion of the last wildflowers to bloom but occasional nibbling does.! Round glands on its fragrant, hairy leaves, which clasp the stem and lack teeth fall and Aster... Give off a balsam-like scent when crushed or disturbed be found across the Grea… October Skies grows well in climate! To purple this is a non-native perennial for Zones 5 to 10 of our summer blooms may needed.