Smooth Blue Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve) is one of the stars of the late-season native garden, bringing vibrant color just as many other perennials begin to fade. Its airy sprays of daisy-like blossoms provide an important source of nectar for butterflies, native bees, and other beneficial insects when floral resources become scarce. The smooth, bluish-green foliage stays attractive throughout the growing season and gives the plant a refined appearance even before it flowers. Adaptable and dependable, this western native is an excellent choice for naturalistic landscapes, meadows, pollinator gardens, and water-wise plantings. Once established, it asks for very little care while returning year after year with increasing vigor. It combines especially well with ornamental grasses, goldenrods, penstemons, and other late-blooming natives, extending seasonal interest well into autumn.
