Native Plants from American Beauties
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Aster azureus

Sky Blue Aster / Symphyotrichum oolentangiensis

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Aster azureus


This hardy native plant lights up the autumn garden with it's brilliant pale blue blooms. Found throughout the tallgrass prairie, Sky Blue Aster is found in a wide variety of locations from wet meadows to dry gravel outcrops. This is good news for the gardener because it will be happy in any sunny location! Attractive to butterflies and other nectar-loving insects.

Homeowner Growing and Maintenance Tips

Plant in average, dry or moist, well-drained soil in full sun. Sky Blue Aster is rather indifferent to soil characteristics, and can flourish in soil that loamy, sandy, rocky, or contains clay. It is easy to grow and very drought tolerant, though it may get powdery mildew on lower leaves after experiencing drought stress.


Height
2-3 Feet

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Spread
24-30 Inches


Native Range
Aster azureus is found in dry or moist prairies, meadows, open woods, and rocky slopes from New York and Ontario to Saskatchewan and Minnesota south to Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas.

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USDA Hardiness Zone 3-9

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"The caterpillars of the Silvery Checkerspot butterfly (Chlosyne nycteis) feed on this aster and its flowers provide nectar for many species of butterflies."

Characteristics & Attributes

Plan Sub Group
Medium Perennials
Exposure
Sun
Soil
Well-drained
Wide soil tolerance
Soil Moisture Preference
Average
Moist
Dry
Moist but well-drained
Attracts Wildlife
Beneficial insects
Butterflies
Bloom Time
Fall
Habitat Collection
Butterfly
Native Habitat
Grassland
Foliage Color
Green
Uses
Meadow
Wind tolerant
Container
Mass plant
Naturalizes
Border
Cut or dried flower
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