Alphabetical Plant Listing

Symphyotrichum laeve (Smooth Blue Aster)

Smooth Blue Aster, Aster laevis


One of the most attractive blue asters, Symphyotrichum laeve (Smooth Blue Aster) is a clump-forming perennial boasting usually unbranched stems topped with profuse clusters of daisy-like flowers in late summer and fall. Blooming for weeks, the flowers, usually less than 1 in. across (2.5 cm), feature golden-yellow centers surrounded by rich lavender-blue rays. They are pollinated by insects, commonly attracting butterflies, bees, flies, and beetles. Borne on sturdy stems, their gentle color blends with almost any other color in the garden. They are pollinated by many native bees and attracts butterflies. The foliage of blue-green leaves is very smooth to the touch and handsome all season. Adaptable, Smooth Blue Aster is an excellent choice for the perennial border where it makes a beautiful foil for other late-season perennials. Equally handsome in natural landscapes and prairie restorations.

  • Grows up to 2-4 ft. tall (60-120 cm) and 2 ft. wide (60 cm). May need staking
  • Thrives in full sun in moderately fertile, dry to medium, well-drained soils. Drought and dry soil tolerant.
  • Vital ingredient of late summer and fall borders, cottage gardens or butterfly gardens.
  • No serious pest or disease issues.
  • Native to North America.

Not sure which Aster to pick?
Compare All Aster

Buy Symphyotrichum laeve (Smooth Blue Aster)

Requirements

Hardiness 3 – 8
Heat Zones 1 – 8
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Aster
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Late)
Fall
Height 2' – 4' (60cm – 120cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
Tolerance Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden

Buy Plants

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Aster

Guides with Aster


By Roman Velychkovskyi, Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 3 – 8
Heat Zones 1 – 8
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Aster
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Late)
Fall
Height 2' – 4' (60cm – 120cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
Tolerance Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Aster

Guides with Aster

Plant Calculator

How many Symphyotrichum laeve (Smooth Blue Aster) do I need for my garden?

%
ft
ft

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Symphyotrichum laeve (Smooth Blue Aster)

Find your Hardiness Zone

Find your Climate Zone

Find your Heat Zone

Join Gardenia.net

Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

Join now and start creating your dream garden!

Create a New Collection

Optional. For your reference.


Move Selected Plants to a Different Collection


Delete Collection

This field is required.

Rename Collection

This field is required.