Symphyotrichum oblongifolium

Symphyotrichum oblongifolium
Planting Time:	Fall
Life Cycle:	Perennial
Height:	2'
Width:	1.5'
Blooms:	Fall
Native to:	North America
Nectary

Symphyotrichum oblongifolium (common name: aromatic aster) has balsam-scented flowers and leaves when handled, these nearly indestructible ornamental flowers thrive in very dry, rocky soils where they have little competition. One of the last blooms of the season, blooming well after the first frost, the masses of violet-blue rays from amber-colored disks that shift to reddish purple and are a much needed food source for butterflies such as the Silvery Checkerspot and periodically attracts wild turkeys. The top-heavy plant can splay open but early Summer pruning will keep the plant thick.