Gardening Answers

Aromatic Asters

mdwyer | Posted in Midwest Gardening on

I love asters of all sorts and this time of year is when they certainly add so much color and pollinator value. Years ago, I was at Boerner Botanical Garden (Hales Corners, WI) about this time of year and I saw these “thigh-high” mounds of blue from a distance.  I recognized them as asters but their dense habit, shorter height and profusion of bloom was remarkable. Aromatic asters (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium)  are dynamite for their amazing flower power and blue in the autumn landscape is most welcome!  My favorite varieties are ‘Raydon’s Favorite’ and the more compact ‘October Skies’.  See my article at  https://www.finegardening.com/article/nativar-to-know-october-skies-aromatic-aster for some more information on ‘October Skies’. Have you tried these yet!?

Replies

  1. User avater Moderator
    Chloe_Moderator | | #1

    Far and away my favorite aster. Blooms late, tidy habit, beautiful color, and crazy floriferous! I love October Skies particularly, but I'm perfectly pleased with the straight species as well.

  2. User avater
    cleangreen | | #2

    Great variety, waiting for my Raydon to flower!

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