This week: This Aster Is Still Blooming
Hello!
Improbable as it may seem, some native flowers are still blooming near the end of November. Aromatic Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium) is one of the latest blooming Eastern asters, and begins blooming at the end of the summer.
Aromatic Aster thrives in dry, sunny spots and spreads via stolons (above-ground rhizomes), making it a good choice to combat erosion on sunny slopes. However, it also grows well in moist soil conditions. It’s a short plant, growing to around two feet, making it a suitable choice for smaller-scale gardens and along the front of borders.
It’s also easily started from seed. It requires no cold period to germinate, so it can be sown outside in the spring, making it an easy, affordable option for late-season blooms. A cultivar, Raydon’s Favorite, is no stranger to local nurseries, though you’ll tend to see more short New England Aster cultivars in stock, which have a similar look.
Late-season native perennials like this one are often the last stop for nourishment for migrating and overwintering insects, so don’t overlook late fall when planning your pollinator garden. Aromatic Aster supports many different bees and is also a host plant for the Silvery Checkerspot butterfly. Even better, deer are typically uninterested in snacking on it.
Elsewhere:
If you missed Larry Weaner’s Wild Ones talk about how he stewards his home’s native garden, it is now available on YouTube. He shares many valuable lessons from his decades of designing and managing ecologically friendly gardens.
Have a great week,
Julie