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Smooth Aster

Smooth aster flowers
Photo credit: Heike Löchel, cc-sa 2.0

Smooth aster
(Symphyotrichum laevis)

Height:

  • 2 to 3 feet

Bloom:

  • August to October

Classification:

  • Native
  • Perennial
  • Forb / Wildflower

Sun:

  • Full sun

Soil moisture:

  • Dry to medium

Provides food for:

  • Butterflies (flowers)
  • Honey bees (flowers)
  • Native bees (flowers)
  • Caterpillars (foliage)
  • Songbirds (seeds, caterpillars and other insects)
  • Wild turkey (seeds)

Notes:

  • Deer browsing does not typically hurt smooth asters. It just makes them bushier.
  • Has a tendency to grow taller than “normal” in garden settings and may flop over.
  • Can be trimmed (i.e. artificially grazed) to keep shorter and promote bushiness.

Native Range:

USDA range map for smooth aster
Map credit: USDA Plants Database

Relevant Backyard Ecology Resources:

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