Eastern Aromatic Aster Symphyotrichum oblongifolium
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Aster oblongifolius var. angustatus
- Phonetic Spelling
- sim-fy-oh-TRY-kum ob-long-ee-FOH-lee-um
- Description
-
Aromatic Aster is a native perennial wildflower that's name comes from the balsam-like fragrance it gives off when its rigid stems are crushed. It is found on rock outcrops and dry woodlands over limestone, and calcareous shale. The simple, oblong, alternate leaves are .5–3 inches long. The flowers are composite of approximately 30 purple ray flowers and yellow disk flowers. The bracts are glandular with long, green, loose or spreading tips. Fruits are flat, hairy achenes. It spreads by stolons.
This plant was selected as the 2000 NC Wildflower of the Year, a program managed by the North Carolina Botanical Garden with some financial support from the Garden Club of North Carolina.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Fannys'
- 'Raydons Favorite'
More compact
- 'Fannys'
- 'Fannys', 'Raydons Favorite'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Fannys'
- 'Raydons Favorite'
More compact
- 'Fannys'
- 'Fannys', 'Raydons Favorite'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Symphyotrichum
- Species:
- oblongifolium
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- U.S.A. to North East Mexico
- Wildlife Value:
- Members of the genus Symphyotrichum support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) asteris, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) asteroides, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) hirticincta, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) nubecula, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) placata, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) simplex, and Colletes simulans.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4b, 4a, 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7a, 7b, 8b, 8a
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Achenes with small turfs of light brown hair are distributed by the wind. Displays from October to November
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- more than 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 1-1.5 inch wide composite flowers have 25-30 blue-purple rays with yellow center disc flowers. Blooms from September to October. One of the last flowers blooming before a heavy frost.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- 2-3 inch long by .5 inch wide simple, clasping, alternate, oblong leaves with entire margins. Become smaller as they ascend the stem. Fragrant when crushed.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- Yes
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Slightly pubescent round green stems turn brown with age.
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Poor Soil
