Description

Asters are a “must-have” to provide late season blooms for pollinators and beneficial insects! And smooth aster is a lovely one to grow as it does not get “naked legs” like many other asters, but maintains lovely green foliage down to the ground, looking almost shrubby at times. ( A common problem of many other asters is that their lower leaves brown and fall off during the summer, becoming unsightly and resulting in bare lower stems. This problem is solved by careful placement of lower-growing plants in front of your asters.) S. laeve has stout, leafy, unbranched stems with dark-green foliage that is smooth on top (thus the common name) and rough underneath. Small, violet blue to purple (sometimes white) flowers with yellow centers occur in large, open, panicle-like clusters atop the stems. Attracts birds and butterflies. Larval host. Special value to native bees. And recommended by the Garden for Wildlife Program of the National Wildlife Federation for attracting fireflies into your yard! Asters are easy to grow in well-drained average garden soil and tolerate drought once established. Will self-seed. Please leave standing over winter to support our native wildlife. Height: 2.5-3 ft. Spread: 2-2.5 ft. Family: Asteraceae Bloom time: September to October Sun: full sun Water: dry to medium According to Rutgers University, asters are “seldom severely damaged” by deer. photo credit: Heike Löchel