Native Plants for Fall blooms in Maryland: Symphyotrichum laeve – Smooth Aster
Maryland Native Plants for Fall Interest
Symphyotrichum laeve – Smooth Aster
Symphyotrichum laeve or Smooth Aster is a showy, self-seeding, fall blooming perennial for dry to medium soil conditions. It’s blooms range from violet blue to purplewith yellow centers and attract butterfies. This species is a medium height, compact plant that works well in rocky soils and is good for combating erosion. Asters are great late-season bloomers that attract a variety of pollinators, providing essential nectar and pollen sources into the fall season. It is a great plant for full sun, and looks lovely in a wildflower or cottage garden.
LGS Notes:
“I love using Symphyotrichum laeve because of it’s late season interest. Having blooms all season is important so I use Asters in a lot of landscapes without a lot of deer pressure” – Chrissie
“Symphyotrichum laeve is a very deeply rooted plant so it’s great for dry areas and will hold soil to prevent erosion” – Perri
Latin Name: Symphyotrichum laeve
Common Name: smooth aster
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Asteraceae
Native Range: North America
Zone: 3 to 8
Height: 2.00 to 4.00 feet
Spread: 1.00 to 2.00 feet
Bloom Time: September to October
Bloom Description: Violet to purple rays and yellow centers
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Naturalize
Flower: Showy
Attracts: Butterflies
Tolerate: Drought, Erosion, Dry Soil, Shallow-Rocky Soil
(Information from Missouri Botanical Garden)
Smooth aster with pollinator
Smooth Aster flowers and foliage