Skyblue Aster Symphyotrichum oolentangiense
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Aster azureus
- Aster oolentangiensis
- Aster vernalis
- Phonetic Spelling
- sim-fy-oh-TRY-kum u-len-tan-jee-EN-see
- Description
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Skyblue aster is an herbaceous perennial in the aster family (Asteraceae) that is native to eastern North America but not North Carolina. Its primary range is in central United States. In its native habitat, it can be found growing along roadsides, prairies and open woods in mesic to dry conditions on sandy, clay or rocky soils. Symphyotrichum comes from the Greek words symph and trich meaning coming together and hair which refers to the flower anthers. The species name, oolentangiensis, refers to the Olentangy River in Ohio where it was discovered.
It prefers full sun and is adaptable to a variety of soils if it is well-drained. Skyblue aster only requires average watering. The plant can reach 2 feet tall and wide. The blue to lavender daisy-like flowers bloom in the fall. The flowers are usually sparsely arranged on the multi-branched upper stems creating a cone or vase shape. Sometimes the flowers are densely clustered which causes the plant to arch.
Skyblue aster is endangered in some native areas due to over mowing of the prairies and roadsides. It is a showy fall-blooming flower which is easy to grow. It is non-aggressive even though it self-seeds and spreads by rhizomes. It is drought-tolerant and can even grow in shallow-rocky soil. It is more sun-tolerant than other blue-violet asters.
It is an erect, dense clump with 1 to 5 or more stems that grow well in meadows, rock gardens or perennial borders. It is valuable for prairie restoration projects. Skyblue aster attracts butterflies, native bees, skippers, and wasps. Insects,
Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No known serious insect or disease problems. It may develop powdery mildew if there is poor air circulation.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Symphyotrichum
- Species:
- oolentangiense
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- USA
- Distribution:
- Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mexico Northeast, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts pollinators
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Easy to Grow
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a cypsela but is often referred to as an achene. The seed has light brown or rose-tinged hairs to enable wind distribution.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The panicle of flowerheads with 10 - 20 daisy-like blue rays and yellow center is 1/2 - 1 1/2 feet long. It blooms from August to November. The flowers are usually sparsely arranged on the upper stems, but occasionally form a dense cluster. Individual flowers are 1/2 to 1 inch across.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Oblong
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The lower leaves are heart-shaped, thick, and serrated. They have winged stalks and usually wither when flowering. The leaves become more narrow with entire margins as they ascend the stem. They are smooth on top and short-hairy on the bottom. The loose tuft of basil leaves are semi-evergreen.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The rough-textured stems are erect with many branches in the upper plant. May have a few hairs.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Erosion
