Aromatic Aster – General Description
Aromatic Aster Growing Requirements
This plant is smaller than most prairie plants. So, keep that in mind in regards to where you plant it. It may have trouble if it is close to taller, aggressive species. However, this plant can thrive in clay/rocky soil as long as it drains. It is drought tolerant, so watering is typically not an issue. If you notice that the lower leaves are drying out, then you may need to give it water. If this plant gets too tall it might need staking. Or you can trim it back some earlier in the season around mid-June to keep its height lower. I’ve had it flop over before because I didn’t stake or trim it due to being too busy. It will generally look like a small carpet of purple/blue flowers even if it falls over. So – I don’t mind it laying down in the flower bed at all.
But, the best benefit of this plant is how late in the season it blooms! This study found that the earliest date this plant would bloom was August 25th. I have seen Aromatic Aster bloom much longer than mums, bloom through frost, and even past Halloween! So, this flower will give you the ‘last gasp’ of color until Spring. I currently have six of these, and plan on planting about 10 more in my meadow near the front.
Common Uses
This plant is fairly versatile! It naturally grows in prairies and open woodlands, getting full sun. It can handle a wide variety of soil as long as it is well drained. The pictures you see here are all in fairly tough, rocky Pennsylvania clay soil. But, as it is a Native Plant within Pennsylvania, that means it is well adapted! So, I generally keep these near the front of flower beds where they can prominently display their late Autumn flowers. Since the plant is native, that means it has co-evolved with the environment, making it less susceptible to disease and other pests. Recently I added several specimens to our micro-prairie in our backyard. Click HERE to see some prairie garden designs!
How to Grow Aromatic Aster from seed
Aromatic Aster is very easy to grow from seed. Just plant it on the surface of the soil in a small pot, or direct sow in spring. Just ensure the seed doesn’t wash away during a heavy storm. Keep them moist by misting with a spray bottle as required. Then continue to ‘pot-up’ this plant as needed until transplanting into the garden. This plant can bloom the first year if started/transplanted early enough.
Purchase Seed
We have ordered a variety of native flower seeds from Everwilde Farms, which you can order right from Amazon through our link on our RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS PAGE. (We may earn a small commission when you purchase through our links, at no cost to you. This helps support our website.)
Harvesting Aster Seed
Harvesting Aromatic Aster seed is incredibly easy. Just wait until the blooms have faded, and the flowers become fuzzy, dry seed heads. Then just pull the seed heads off and store in a paper bag for about a week in a cool/dry place. The individual seeds will be arrayed around the seed head, and each attached to a feather-like tail. Then, just grow more plants in the Spring, or scatter seed where you would like more plants!
Aromatic Aster Reference Table
| Common Name | Aromatic Aster |
| Scientific name | Symphyotrichum oblongifolium |
| USDA Zone | 3-8 |
| Bloom Time | Sep/Oct/Nov |
| Bloom Duration | 4 weeks |
| Color | Blue/Purple |
| Bloom Size | 1” (25mm) diameter, daisy-like flowers. Many blooms per plant |
| Characteristics | Branches coming from one stem, each supporting many blooms |
| Height | 2’ (60 cm) |
| Spacing/Spread | 1.5’ (50cm) |
| Light Requirements | Full sun |
| Soil Types | Well drained |
| Moisture | Dry to medium |
| Maintenance | Plant will likely flop over without staking. |
| Typical Use | Versatile flower – can go many places and look nice |
| Fauna Associations | Bees |
| Larval Host | None |
| Sowing Depth | Surface |
| Stratification | Not required |
| Native Range | Eastern half of the USA |
| Notes | This flower will bloom last in your garden. It will likely be the only flower blooming in your neighborhood. |
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