Symphyotrichum turbinellum (Smooth Violet Prairie Aster )
Aster turbinellus, 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.
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Requirements
Hardiness | 4
– 8 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 8 |
Climate Zones | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Aster |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Fall |
Height | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spread | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spacing | 36" (90cm) |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Maintenance | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Midwest, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Southeast, Arkansas, Louisiana, Southwest, Oklahoma |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden |
© Martin Ogden and www.teddingtongardener.com
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 | 4
– 8 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 8 |
Climate Zones | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Aster |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Fall |
Height | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spread | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spacing | 36" (90cm) |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Maintenance | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Midwest, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Southeast, Arkansas, Louisiana, Southwest, Oklahoma |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden |