Symphyotrichum oolentangiense
cosmetic sky blue aster , Symphyotrichum oolentangiense , formerlyAster azureus , is a native herbaceous perennial that readily naturalise inUSDA Hardiness Zones3 to 8 .
It toil away all time of year long , form branching foliage . Then it bursts into masses of blue , daisy - like flowers , just in meter to bridge the gap between summer ’s waning blooms and drop ’s spectacular foliage show .
This member of theAsteraceae familyhas an unsloped growth habit . Dense basal foliage thins out along ramify stems that culminate in loose , cone - influence floral clusters .
Photo by J M, Wikimedia Commons, viaCC BY-SA
We link to vendors to aid you find relevant product . If you buy from one of our nexus , we may earn a charge .
bloom heads are approximately one in in diameter and consist of a single level of sparsely do puritanic rays fence a yellowed center disc .
The shade of bluemay diverge from deep to picket , or it may be slightly regal .
Photo by J M, Wikimedia Commons, viaCC BY-SA
In this clause , you ’ll learn how to grow and manage for vigorous sky patrician aster in your outdoor living space .
What You’ll Learn
Cultivation and History
list as an scupper coinage in New York , sky blue aster is prized by native plant fancier .
According to theNew York Natural Heritage Program , a plant scientist by the name of John Leonard Riddell was the first to name the lovely blue flower he receive grow by the Olentangy River in Ohio , in 1835 .
He discover it asAster oolentangiensis , misspelling the river reference . Later it was reclassifiedAster azureusas a fellow member of theAstergenus , which contained over 500 species at the fourth dimension .
During the nineties , research revealed that the US native aster have their own unequalled evolutionary history , and as such they were reclassified into different genera .
Of the “ new ” genera create , the big of these isSymphyotrichum . Today we know the sky drear aster asS. oolentangiense .
These changes exemplify a ok tuning ofaster nomenclatureand a reinstatement of the original geographic reference .
Sky Blue Aster Plant Propagation
To tame sky blue aster in your garden , you could sow cum , take cuttings , ordivide existing plant .
From Seed
Because this is a aboriginal mintage , you may rest assured that if youcollect seeded player at season ’s oddment , allow they are viable , they will produce exact replica of the parent plant from which they came .
starting time seeds indoorsabout four weeks before the last mean hoarfrost date in your area . It ’s recommended to use seed - fledgeling peat pots that can be institute in their integrality to minimize antecedent disruption . Sow 2 - 3 seminal fluid 1/4 inch deeply in each pot .
Keep the dirt lightly moist , but not impregnate . expend a heating plant mat if necessary , to conserve an even temperature of approximately 70 ° F – the seeds should evolve in 10 - 14 days at this temperature .
Once the seedlings have at least two sets of true leaves , and all danger of hoar has evanesce , you could start hardening them off in preparation for planting .
To do this , place them outdoors in a localization protect from wind , and over the row of a workweek , bit by bit leave behind them out for longsighted periods before transplanting .
or else , you could guide sow in the garden after the last spring frost . Sow seeds 1/4 column inch late in a full Dominicus location .
Some gardeners have also had success inseminate seminal fluid in dusk . They winter in the ground , go dormant , and germinate in bounce when temperature warm up .
you could reduce your seedling to 24 inches aside when they have 2 - 3 sets of reliable leaf .
From Cuttings
Another way to start plants is to utilise clean , crisp shearsto take flabby tip cuttings from mature plants in spring . Take a 2- to 5 - in cutting , remove the lower leaves , then dip the cut end in powdered rooting hormone .
locate the thinning in a mix of backbone and vermiculite or perlite , and keep it in a bright location indoors , out of verbatim sun . theme should originate in one to two months , and they can then be transplanted into the garden .
From Divisions
In addition , you’re able to separate be plants . cautiously dig one up and slit straight down through the roots with a white , precipitous shovel . Remove the “ division , ” and transplant it elsewhere .
This is well done in the spring after all risk of frost has passed .
To learn more about how to do this , see our fullguide to dividing perennial .
From Transplants
You may also feel fledged plants or seedling in season at a local nursery . Simply transplant them to the garden as shortly as possible after leverage , preferably in the cool good morning hours , to avoid heat stress .
works seedling or transplant at the same depth as the solution ball .
How to Grow Sky Blue Aster Flowers
You ’re go to love this plant ’s slow - go temperament . It prefers full sun but tolerate light shade , and acquire in any type of soil , provided it drains well .
Its preferred soil pH is slimly acidic , but anything in the 5.5 to 7.5 chain is acceptable . deal a stain trial , and pursue the recommendations in your report .
A littleorganic affair , like compost , can promote sour , whilegarden limecan reduce it .
matured dimensions are 24 to 36 inches marvellous and 18 to 24 inches spacious . Allow 24 column inch between plant for optimal airflow .
you may plant in the ground or in large containers . For container growing , take a corporation with a diameter of about 18 column inch . This specie is known to thrive in shallow , rocky soil , so a pot depth of 12 inches should be adequate .
Once established , plant do well with about an inch of water per week . Use a rainfall gaugeto determine if you demand to provide subsidiary water .
These plants exhibit a fair amount of drought tolerance , and it ’s better to err on the side of being too teetotal rather than too wet . digest piddle can stimulate root rot .
However , container plant life are probable to require supplementary weewee , as pots dry out out quicker than the ground . Adding a bed of mulchover the grease in containers is an excellent way to help with moisture retention .
As for fertiliser , I tend to continue away from it with aboriginal works that are get it on to be vigorous raiser .
But amending with a dose of a dull - dismissal , balanced granular ware , such as10 - 10 - 10 ( NPK ) , at planting time and each spring thereafter is an choice that some gardeners have adopted .
If you have improve your ground with compost prior to planting , extra fertilizer is unneeded .
Growing Tips
Like many aboriginal plant , S. oolentangienseis easily to establish in the garden , especially when you give it a solid scratch by :
Read more about managing repeated aster flowers here .
Pruning and Maintenance
Aster is one of those plants that you may fuss over or leave alone , depend on your expectations .
If you plant it where unfold and self - sowing are acceptable , and you do n’t mind it get a little “ leggy , ” you may be happy to leave it alone .
instead , you may want to trim plantsby about 1/3 in early summer , to advance a slow , thick shape .
you may alsodeadhead spent blossomsto inhibit self - sowing . And every three years or so , you may want to divide your plant to contract density , increase airflow , and contain spread out .
Whether you borrow a handwriting - off or hands - on approach , at season ’s end you may curve down the stalk , or result them in seat for wildlife home ground and wintertime interest .
aboriginal industrial plant usually throw their own against weeds , however , this is another area where you’re able to choose to take action or simply pull up stakes things alone .
Minimizing weed increase around flora reduces competitor for water and creates a less appealing surroundings for disease - bear dirt ball . maintain dope at Laurus nobilis also help to insure adequate airflow .
Where to Buy Sky Blue Asters
Easy to develop and uphold , the idle blossom bunch and moderate height ofS. oolentangiensemake it an excellent mid - border filler .
It delivers a texturally - robust vertical background for shorter specimens and flat coat covers throughout the summertime , when it ’s green , and into the declivity , when it’sflush with peak .
Sky Blue Aster
In improver , this clumping species providesvaluable habitatfor the good insects , birds , and romance that chit-chat your garden as the growing season derive to a close .
you’re able to feel 3 - packs of seedlings in 2 - by-3 - inch potsfrom Nature Hills Nursery .
Managing Pests and Disease
As a native industrial plant , S. oolentangienseis not prone to problems with insects or disease . However , sometimes rainy summertime atmospheric condition can have an adverse effect on impenetrable plants , causing a buildup of humidness , the fosterage ground forpowdery mildew .
At the first signboard of gray leaves after a blotto spell , put on an organic antimycotic agent agree to the package education , or prune off affected stalks by cutting them at their base .
If you have a problem with powdery mold on mature , well found works , you might moot separate them to increase air flow .
Another conditionto watch out for is aster yellows , a disease borne by the sap - sucking aster leafhopper .
give an constitutive insecticidal soap if you notice tiny , green , hop-skip insects and perforated leaves .
Yellowing and disfiguration may indicate the presence of this incurable condition , and warrant the destruction of affected plants .
Best Uses for Sky Blue Aster Flowers
One way to showcase this bloom - laden , texturally - rich perennial is to give it room to spread naturally , along rustic path , fences , and dimension perimeters .
Another is to give it a job as middle - elevation keystone in a garden seam or border , filling gaps between lower - story ground cover such assweet alyssumand seasonal deary likechrysanthemum , Montauk daisy , andstrawflower , and shrub likeazaleaandhydrangea .
Or , interplant itwithgoldenrod , New York and New England aster , red valerian , and speedwell for a butterfly meadow .
S. oolentangienseis an excellent choice for erosion control , as its root scheme consists of ground - hugging rhizomes that keep soil from moisten down gravelly slope . It ’s also able to hold up afair amount of saltiness photo .
And as a drouth - tolerant aboriginal plant , it’sideal for xeriscaping , a landscape fashion focus on gloomy - resource , minimal maintenance plantings .
Quick Reference Growing Guide
Sky Blue Aster Fits the Bill
If your previous summer - to - fall landscape is just begging for colour , texture , and restrained tallness , choose sky blueish aster to do the business .
As a native perennial , it ask minimal water and maintenance , and once ground , mostly fends for itself .
With its rhizomes and self - sow habit , it pronto naturalizes , for friendly hedgerows , edge gardens , and open meadows with hoi polloi of blush .
Self - sufficient . active . Cheerful . Sky puritanic aster is the anthesis perennial you ’ve been waiting for !
For more information ongrowing astersin your garden , check out these guides next :
© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more detail . Product photo via Nature Hills Nursery . Uncredited photograph : Shutterstock .
© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL right RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . Originally print on March 11th , 2020 . Last updated June 24th , 2023 . Product pic via Nature Hills Nursery . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .
About
Nan Schiller
