If you want to make a BIG impact for wildlife, plant Asters! These power plants sustain over 100 different types of caterpillars, which are vital sources of nutrition for our native birds. Each packet contains about 380 seeds. One of the first of the blue asters to bloom in late summer, Smooth blue aster (Symphyotrichum laeve) flowers shift to a purple shade as seasons change. Tops of leaves are soft to the touch. Hosts of wildlife benefit from this Long-Living, versatile, and hardy perennials. Planting smooth blue aster (Symphyotrichum laeve) offers numerous ecological, aesthetic, and practical benefits. 1. Smooth Blue Aster Attracts Pollinators Smooth blue aster is a late-season nectar source for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, making it an essential plant for supporting wildlife in the fall when many other flowers have faded. 2. Smooth Blue Aster Supports Beneficial Insects This plant provides habitat and food for native bees, honeybees, and butterflies like the monarch and painted lady. It also attracts predatory insects that help control garden pests naturally. 3. Smooth Blue Aster is Drought-Tolerant, Low Maintenance Once established, smooth blue aster is highly drought-tolerant and requires little care. It thrives in poor, dry, or sandy soils, making it a great choice for water-wise gardening. 4. Smooth Blue Aster has a Long Blooming Season With its profuse light blue to lavender flowers, smooth blue aster blooms from late summer to fall, adding color to the garden when many other flowers have finished blooming. 5. Smooth Blue Aster Enhances Biodiversity As a native plant, smooth blue aster plays an important role in supporting local ecosystems, providing food and habitat for insects and birds. 6. Smooth Blue Aster is Deer and Rabbit Resistant Unlike many other garden flowers, smooth blue aster is less appealing to deer and rabbits, reducing the risk of damage to your plants. 7. Smooth Blue Aster Soil Stabilization & Erosion Control With its deep root system, smooth blue aster helps prevent soil erosion, making it a great option for slopes, prairies, and restoration projects. 8. Smooth Blue Aster Complements Other Native Plants It pairs well with other late-season bloomers like goldenrod, echinacea, and black-eyed Susans, creating a beautiful, balanced native garden.
