A must for any pollinator garden, aromatic aster (Symphotrichum oblongifolium) produces masses of purple flowers in the fall which bloom until frost.
Typically sporting the longest- lasting blooms in our demonstration gardens, this species of aster is abuzz with bees and other pollinators late into the season. The dense, low, mounded plants are a bit more manageable than their more exuberant relative, New England aster, staying within the 1-3 foot range. It can be planted en masse along a walkway or border as a great native alternative to chrysanthemum, or it’s just as comfortable in a meadow or naturalized area. And, it’s attractive to bees and butterflies of all sizes, providing valuable late-season pollen and nectar. If you’re looking for a plant to help ease the transition from summer abundance to autumn senescence, aromatic aster is definitely a must-have!
