Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Part Sun
Soil Moisture: Medium, Medium-Dry, Dry
Soil Type: Sand, Loam, Loamy-Clay
Height: 3 feet
Spread: 1 - 2 feet
Blooms: August, September, October
Root: Fibrous, Rhizomatous
Habitat: Prairies, Meadows, Savannas, Woodland edge, Roadsides
Landscape uses: Pollinator gardens, Meadow plantings, Boulevard plantings, Drought tolerant
Complimentary Plants: Showy Goldenrod, Indiangrass, Little Bluestem, Black-eyed Susan
Wildlife Value: The pollen and nectar attract many types of insects. Among birds, the Ruffed Grouse and Wild Turkey browse on the leaves and seeds of asters; the Tree Sparrow also eats the seeds during the winter. Host Plant: Pearl Crescent and Silvery Checkerspot Butterflies, many moth species
Seed Origin: Coldwater, Ontario
Germination Code: A
Symphyotrichum oolentangiense - Sky Blue Aster
Sky Blue Aster is at home in open prairies as in open woods and can grow in many different types of soil as long as it is well-drained. This aster species sets itself apart from other blue-violet asters with heart-shaped leaves by being more sun-tolerant than the rest. Sky Blue Aster is a great fall blooming plant, it blooms profusely and attracts many types of pollinators for its late season nutritional value.