Family: Asteraceae
Name: Symphyotrichum laeve
Bloom Time: September-October
Flower: Blue, Purple/Lavender
Soil Condition: Dry, average, moist
Light: Full sun, partial shade
Height/Width: 2-4'/1-2'
Native Range: Central & Eastern US including Long Island
Zone: 4-8
Photo (KMS Native Plants): eastern bumble be on smooth blue aster flower
Smooth aster is a critical keystone plant (a plant that plays a vital role in the health of an ecosystem by providing food and shelter for other species) with lovely blue-green foliage. The common name, smooth aster, comes from the leaves being smooth on top and rough underneath. It spreads by self-sowing and a non-aggressive rhizomatous root system.
Maintenance: Cut back between July 4 through July 15 for a tidier and more floriferous plant in the fall.
Benefits: Supports several specialist bees (they eat pollen from one family, genus, or species, but may collect nectar from a variety of plants) including the mining bees, Adrena asteris, Adrena asteroides, Andrena hirticincta, Andrena placata, Andrena simplex, and one cellophane bee, Colletes simulans. It is a host plant to the pearl crescent butterfly (Phyciodes tharos) and silvery checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis). Birds and small mammals eat the seeds.
Fun Facts: The flowers and leaves are edible when fresh or dry.
Noteworthy Cultivars: 'Bluebird' (3' tall)
Companion Plants: Eutrochium species - Joe Pye weed, Schizachyrium scoparium - little blue stem, Helianthus angustifolius - swamp sunflower, Solidago species - Goldenrod
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