Smooth Blue Aster is a hardy native perennial wildflower. It is known for its smooth, bluish-green leaves and clusters of pale blue to violet daisy-like flowers with yellow centers. Blooming in late summer to fall, this aster is a crucial late-season nectar source for pollinators, making it a valuable addition to prairies, meadows, and gardens.
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Growth Habits & Characteristics:
•Height: 2–4 feet
•Spread: 1–2 feet
•Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
•Soil Preferences: Well-drained loamy, sandy, or rocky soils; drought-tolerant
•Lifespan: Perennial
•Bloom Time: Late summer to fall (August–October)
•Water Needs: Moderate to low; tolerates dry conditions once established
•Growth Habit: Upright, clump-forming, with smooth, bluish-green foliage
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Host Insect:
Serves as a host plant for Pearl Crescent butterfly caterpillars.
Pollinator Importance:
•Attracts a variety of native bees, including bumblebees, sweat bees, and mining bees.
•Visited by migrating monarch butterflies and other late-season pollinators.
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Companion Plants:
•Eryngium yuccifolium (Rattlesnake Master) – Provides contrasting texture and supports pollinators.
•Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) – A native grass that enhances prairie plantings.
•Solidago speciosa (Showy Goldenrod) – Complements asters with bright yellow late-season blooms..
•Heliopsis helianthoides (Ox-Eye Sunflower) – Provides additional pollen and nectar for pollinators.
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Ecological Importance:
•Late-Season Pollinator Support: A vital nectar source for bees, butterflies, and migrating monarchs.
•Host Plant: Supports caterpillars of the Pearl Crescent butterfly.
•Drought Tolerance: Thrives in dry, poor soils, making it ideal for prairie restorations.
•Erosion Control: Deep roots help stabilize soil and prevent erosion.
•Wildlife Shelter: Provides cover for insects and small wildlife in native habitats.