Symphyotrichum turbinellum (Smooth Violet Prairie Aster )

Light and airy, award-winning Symphyotrichum turbinellum (Smooth Violet Prairie Aster) features long, upright, arching sprays of lavender-blue daisies, 1 in. across (2.5 cm), with a yellow to reddish-purple center. Bushy, with an open growth, this herbaceous perennial has blue-green foliage along its arching sprays which is mildew resistant. Blooming for weeks from mid to late fall, this native of dry-mesic prairies and savannas stands out in the sunny landscape. It is ideal as a specimen plant, in mixed borders, or among grasses. This Aster is easy to grow, long-lived, brings cheerful fall color, and is a great source of nectar for butterflies.

• Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its noteworthy qualities.
• Typically grows up to 2-3 ft. tall (60-90 cm) and 2-3 ft. wide (60-90 cm). May need some support. Deer and rabbit resistant!
• Thrives in full sun or partial shade, in average, dry to moist, well-drained soils. Tolerates a wide range of soils including rocky loams. Provide good air circulation to avoid foliage diseases such as powdery mildew. Drought tolerant.
• Vital ingredient of late summer and fall borders, cottage gardens, prairies or butterfly gardens. Great for containers too! Asters are also valued for the excellent quality of their cut flowers.
• Asters are a must if you are trying to attract birds or butterflies!
• Pinch back stems before mid-summer to promote bushiness, produce a greater number of flowers, and control the plant height (to avoid flopping by the plant). Asters may self-seed if grown in ideal conditions. Cutting back after flowering will prevent undesired self-seeding.
• Propagate by division in spring. Divide every 3-5 years.
• Native to Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.