Smooth blue aster (Symphyotrichum laeve)
By Linn Wells
When it is late summer and many plants have had their moments of glory, having long blooming asters in the garden is a great addition. Smooth blue aster, Symphyotrichum laeve, is a long-lived Missouri native and hardy in zones 3 – 8. It is a herbaceous perennial which grows 2 to 4 feet tall on sturdy stems and spreads about 1 to 2 feet. Flowers have violet to purple petals with yellow centers. The leaves are bluish-green and smooth. They lack stalks (petioles) and clasp the stem. Smooth blue aster is happiest in full sun, and likes dry to medium soils. It is a good cut flower that will bloom from late summer until frost. Birds and butterflies are attracted to the blooms. Recently, due to DNA testing, asters’ botanical name was changed from Aster to Symphyotrichum. In older plant references this plant may be called Aster laevis. Laevis or laeve refers to the smooth nature of its leaves and stems. Asters in general have hairy, rough leaves and stems. If rabbits and deer are a problem, put chicken wire around the plants until they are established in the spring.
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