Smooth Blue Aster
Symphyotrichum laeve
Also listed as Aster laevis
Also known as Smooth Aster, Glaucous Aster, Smooth-leaf Aster
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A native North American wildflower producing delicate blue to purple daisy-like flowers in late summer and fall. It thrives in open, sunny areas and attracts pollinators.
Why grow it
Smooth blue aster offers reliable late-season color in native plant communities, blooming when many other wildflowers have faded. It tolerates drier conditions and poor soils better than many aster species, making it useful for sites where establishment of perennials is challenging. The species also tends to remain more compact and less weedy than some taller aster relatives, reducing management needs in informal plantings.
Watch out for
Plants may self-seed prolifically in loose soil or mulched beds, requiring occasional thinning if spread is a concern. Like many asters, it can develop powdery mildew or rust in humid conditions with poor air circulation, though this typically does not kill established plants. Division every few years helps maintain vigor and can prevent the center of older clumps from becoming sparse or woody.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Central and eastern United States
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A native North American wildflower producing delicate blue to purple daisy-like flowers in late summer and fall. It thrives in open, sunny areas and attracts pollinators.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Smooth Blue Aster grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Smooth blue aster offers reliable late-season color in native plant communities, blooming when many other wildflowers have faded. It tolerates drier conditions and poor soils better than many aster species, making it useful for sites where establishment of perennials is challenging. The species also tends to remain more compact and less weedy than some taller aster relatives, reducing management needs in informal plantings.
Watch out for
Plants may self-seed prolifically in loose soil or mulched beds, requiring occasional thinning if spread is a concern. Like many asters, it can develop powdery mildew or rust in humid conditions with poor air circulation, though this typically does not kill established plants. Division every few years helps maintain vigor and can prevent the center of older clumps from becoming sparse or woody.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Central and eastern United States
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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