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Aster oblongifolius 'October Skies' (aromatic aster)

Aster oblongifolius 'October Skies'

aromatic aster

(syn. Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'October Skies')

Shorter, bushier, bluer sister of 'Raydon's Favorite'. A strong growing low mound of bushy foliage covered in lavender blue flowers in mid fall. Highly tolerant of drought and poor soils. This Primrose Path introduction has excellent groundcover potential.

SIZE
Aster oblongifolius 'October Skies' - 72 per flat Availability
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Height

18 Inches

Spread

18 Inches

Spacing

12-18 Inches

Bloom Color

Violet

USDA Hardiness Zone 5-8

aromatic aster Interesting Notes

Aster oblongifolius ‘October Skies’, now Symphyotrichum oblongifolium ‘October Skies’, is an intensely floriferous, low-growing selection of aromatic aster. It forms a bushy habit of 2’ tall by 2’ wide and is covered with 1” blue-lavender flowers beginning late summer through to fall. Related to Aster ‘Raydon’s Favorite,’ it grows slightly more compact and starts blooming two weeks earlier. This plant has great potential as a groundcover. 

Symphyotrichum oblongifolium prefers full sun and dry conditions. It generally can be found in limestone glades, slopes, prairies, and dry open ground and has a high pH tolerance. While it prefers lean soils, aromatic aster is adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions and can tolerate heat, pollution, and soil compaction. Due to its aromatic foliage, it is highly resistant to deer, rabbits, rodents, and insects.

While aromatic aster prefers dry sites with poor soils and limited competition, we find it does well in our trials, even in heavy clay, or competing with plants on a steep hillside in our constructed wetland area. It is a favorite for butterflies and provides a great nectar resource late in the season. Seedlings do not come true to ‘October Skies’ - to prevent the possible spread of unwanted aromatic aster, it is recommended to cut off seedheads before they fully ripen in a managed setting.

Aster oblongifolius 'October Skies' Growing and Maintenance Tips

Grow in full sun in average to dry soil. Cut back after flowering to prevent the spread of variable seedlings.

Good Substitutions

aromatic aster Aster oblongifolius 'Raydon's Favorite'
decorative garden mum Dendranthema x grandiflorum 'Hillside Pink Sheffield'

Key Characteristics & Attributes

Full Sun
Full Sun
Songbird-friendly
Songbird-friendly
Deer Resistant
Deer Resistant
Pollinator-friendly
Pollinator-friendly
Drought Tolerant
Drought Tolerant
Groundcover
Groundcover

Additional Information

Soil Moisture Needs
Dry
Average
Plug Type
Horticultural Plug
Attributes
Native to North America
Season of Interest (Flowering)
Fall
Propagation Type
Vegetative