Symphyotrichum Species, Aromatic Aster, Fall Aster, Oblong-Leaved Aster, Wild Aster

Symphyotrichumoblongifolium

Family
Asteraceae (ass-ter-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Symphyotrichum (sim-fy-oh-TRY-kum)
Species
oblongifolium (ob-long-ee-FOH-lee-um)
Synonym
Aster oblongifolius
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Herbaceous
This plant is resistant to deer
Height
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Spacing
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Light Blue
Blue-Violet
Bloom Time
Late Summer/Early Fall
Mid Fall
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic)
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
Seed Collecting
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Santa Barbara, California

Gainesville, Florida

Roslindale, Massachusetts

Wellfleet, Massachusetts

Nashville, Michigan

Belton, Missouri

Elmwood, Nebraska

Frenchtown, New Jersey

Raleigh, North Carolina

Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

Whitehall, Pennsylvania

Collierville, Tennessee

Nashville, Tennessee

Arlington, Texas

Austin, Texas

Collinsville, Texas

Copperas Cove, Texas

Crawford, Texas

Dallas, Texas

Fort Worth, Texas(2 reports)

Fredericksburg, Texas

Houston, Texas

Lampasas, Texas

Lewisville, Texas

Mesquite, Texas

New Caney, Texas

Temple, Texas

Tyler, Texas

Universal City, Texas

Victoria, Texas

Wells, Texas

Appleton, Wisconsin

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Gardener's Notes:

6
positives
0
neutral
0
negative
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J
Collierville, TN | October 2021 | positive

Beautiful blue flowers are in bloom now in my zone 7b fall garden.

E
Nashville, TN | September 2019 | positive

In June I cut back the developing buds which makes even more. The large plants are covered with flowers beginnig about Oct 1 here in Nash...Read More

C
ROSLINDALE, MA | June 2014 | positive

Bushy, very showy, and very late to bloom here, not till October. When it blooms, it covers itself in flowers. The flower display continu...Read More

K
Alachua, FL (Zone 8b) | September 2012 | positive

A dependable performer in z8b, although this year was the first time I've had any problems at all (due to rain every day for some weeks, ...Read More

D
west Houston, TX (Zone 9a) | May 2006 | positive

A favorite fall bloomer for me. Tough, nearly indestructable plant that usually blooms late October in Houston area. This plant is native...Read More

F
Josephine, Arlington, TX (Zone 8a) | October 2004 | positive

Fall Aster is a wonderful Texas Native plant, that will make passerby look twice because of the beautiful mass of purple. You have to wai...Read More

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