Summary

October Skies aromatic aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium ‘October Skies’) is an easy care and drought-tolerant herbaceous perennial. Exhibiting a compact and mounding habit, it is densely branched and grows 1-2’ tall and easily spreads to 3’ wide. The blue green foliage is sticky and releases an herbal aroma when rubbed, making this aster less palatable to deer and rabbits. Beginning in August and continuing into September the plant is clothed in a profusion of daisy-like flowers, 1″ across, with violet blue petals and a yellow central disk. The abundance of flowers and its long bloom period provide a late season nectar source for butterflies and bees, making this aster ideal for a pollinator garden. 

October Skies Aromatic Aster Care: Light, Soil, and Water

October Skies aromatic aster thrives in full sun in dry to moist, well-drained soil, and is capable of a decent floral display even in a part sun site. The plant’s spreading habit and densely foliated branches function well when used as a ground cover at the front-to-mid border or fronting a shrub planting such as inkberry (Ilex glabra). 

To maintain size or create additional plants, divide every three years. As this is a selection of the straight species it will not come true from seed, thus cutting back to the ground is recommended before seeds ripen. Formerly known as Aster oblongifolius ‘October Skies’. Zones 5-8 

More Details

• Sun/Shade Conditions
  sun 
• Foliage Character
  deciduous 
• Soil Moisture
  average-to-dry 
• Flowering Period
  late-summer-to-mid-fall
• Soil PH
  adaptable 
• Flower Color
  violet-blue 
• Summer Foliage Color
  green 
• Fall Foliage Color
  green 
• Fruit/Seed Color
  brown