Native Plant of the Week: Aromatic Aster
- Kimberly Simmen
- Sep 29
- 1 min read
Family: Asteraceae
Name: Symphyotrichum oblongifolium
Bloom Time: late September-November
Flower: Purple
Soil Condition: average, moist, well-drained
Light: Sun, partial sun
Height/Width: 1-3' x 1-3''
Native Range: Northeastern and Central United States (not Long Island)
Zone: 3-8
Photos (KMS Native Plants): flower with eastern bumble bee, habit,
and habit mixed with Amsonia hubrichtii (bluestar) in the fall
Aromatic aster is one of our latest blooming asters. It starts in late September and puts on a show well into November. Being a KEYSTONE plant, it supports specialist bees and late season pollinators like eastern bumble bees, small sweat bees, small carpenter bees, mining bees, flower flies, wasps, beetles and so many more. The common name 'aromatic', refers to the scented foliage which is more noticeable when crushed. The plant is magnificent in a planter also and the flowers make great cut flowers for vases.
Maintenance: the usual for a fall bloomer, cut back by 1/3 at 4th of July for a tidier and more floriferous plant
Benefits: pollinators, nectar source, host plant to 11 species of moth and butterflies including the pearl crescent and silvery checkerspot butterflies, erosion control, juglone tolerant (black walnut), very drought tolerant, great ground cover
Fun Facts: The KMS Native Plants logo is an aromatic aster and the first picture above is the inspiration.
Companion Plants: Solidago species (goldenrod), Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem), Amsonia hubrichtii (bluestar), Panicum species (switchgrass), Echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower), Rudbeckia fulgida var. fulgida (black eyed Susan), Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem),
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