Culture: Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Easily self-seeds.
Noteworthy Characteristics: Symphyotrichum laeve, commonly called 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.
Genus name comes from the Greek symph meaning coming together and trich meaning hair in possible reference to the flower anthers.
Specific epithet means smooth.
Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. May need staking.
Garden Uses: Late blooming perennial aster for the border, wildflower, native or cottage garden. Grows well with Helianthus and Solidago.
The leaves on Smooth Blue Aster are indeed smooth to the touch. The similar-looking Sky Blue Aster (Symphyotrichum oolentangiense) has rough leaves, as do many other Asters. The tough stem often takes on a shade of blue also and will allow Smooth Blue Aster to stand tall during its long late summer to mid fall bloom. A non-aggressive rhizomatous root system allows the plant to spread slowly. In a garden setting, Smooth Blue Aster will persist for many years.
The beautiful late blooming flowers attract many different pollinators. Smooth Blue Aster is also a host plant for the Silvery Checkerspot and the Pearl Crescent butterflies.
Symphyotrichum laeve is also known as Aster laevis.
