Symphyotrichum, Aromatic Aster, Fall Aster, Oblong-Leaved Aster 'October Skies'

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
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Regional

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

Greenwich, Connecticut

Britt, Iowa

Crofton, Maryland

Peabody, Massachusetts

Westborough, Massachusetts

Cross Timbers, Missouri

Jamesburg, New Jersey

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania

Johnson City, Tennessee

Memphis, Tennessee

Austin, Texas

Fort Worth, Texas

Garland, Texas

Newport News, Virginia

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Gardener's Notes:

2
positives
2
neutrals
0
negative
Sort By:
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C
ROSLINDALE, MA | December 2014 | neutral

A. oblongifolius is the latest aster in my gardens (tied with A. tataricus) to come into bloom, beginning in October and continuing to gi...Read More

R
Westborough, MA (Zone 5b) | May 2011 | positive

In it's second year, it has come back very strong, with the spring foliage covering 4x the area that it covered when planted.

W
Dayton, OH (Zone 5b) | February 2011 | positive

These grew very vigorously in my garden. I pinched them back a couple times in June to keep them compact. They were covered with blooms f...Read More

B
Lakemont, GA (Zone 8a) | March 2007 | neutral

Med. 18" - Plant 18" apart. Z 3-8 Like 'Raydon's Favorite', a glowing bush of color in mid-Fall. This one is shorter, bushier. and bluer....Read More

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