Aster laevis

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Aster laevis

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Kemper Code: G420

Common Name: smooth aster
Zone: 3 to 8
Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Asteraceae
Missouri Native: Yes
Native Range: Northwestern United States
Height: 2 to 4 feet
Spread: 1 to 2 feet
Bloom Time: September - October Bloom Data
Bloom Color: Violet to purple rays and yellow centers
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low

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Plant Culture and Characteristics

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Uses:		Wildlife:	Flowers:	Leaves:	Fruit:
Hedge	Suitable as annual	Attracts birds	Has showy flowers	Leaves colorful	Has showy fruit
Shade tree	Culinary herb	Attracts	Has fragrant flowers	Leaves fragrant	Fruit edible
Street tree	Vegetable	hummingbirds	Flowers not showy	Good fall color	Other:
Flowering tree	Water garden plant	Attracts	Good cut flower	Evergreen	Winter interest
Ground cover	Will naturalize	butterflies	Good dried flower		Thorns or spines

General Culture:

Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Easily self-seeds.

Noteworthy Characteristics:

This Smooth aster is a Missouri native that typically occurs in prairies, rocky glades, dry open woods, roadside banks and thickets. Stems are usually unbranched with variable, mostly toothed, smooth, bluish green foliage. Small flowers (.75 to 1.25" across) with violet blue to purple (sometimes white) rays and yellow center disks appear in open, loose, panicle-like clusters in autumn. Attractive to butterflies.

Problems: Click for detailed list of pests and problems.

No serious insect or disease problems. May need staking.

Uses:

Late blooming perennial aster for the border, wildflower, native or cottage garden. Grows well with Helianthus and Solidago.