5903 Swepsonville Saxapahaw Rd.

Saxapahaw, NC

Flower of Carolina

  • Product Info

    October Skies Aromatic Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium ‘October Skies’ )
    Aster Family

    ‘October Skies’ is a compact, fall-blooming cultivar of the native Aromatic Aster species found throughout the eastern and central US. This selection is prized for its dense, mounded form, fragrant foliage, and profuse display of violet-blue flowers that bloom from late September through November. Like the straight species, it thrives in full sun and well-drained soils.The shorter, sturdier stems resist flopping, making it one of the tidiest and most garden-friendly asters. Due to its dense growth, short stature and strong spreading habit, this species makes an excellent front of garden or groundcover plant. Pairs well with Maryland Golden Aster, Fireworks Goldenrod, White Muhly Grass, and Little Bluestem.

    • Blooms: Blue-violet, 6-8 weeks, Oct-Nov
    • Leaves: Medium green, 2”, lanceolate, simple, smooth, evergreen basal rosette
    • Height: 1-2’
    • Space:2-3’
    • Soil:Average-Dry
    • Exposure:Full sun-Part sun
    • Fauna: High-value–Bees, Flies, butterflies, other small insects, host plant to several species of moths and butterflies
    • Seeds: Small tufts of tan hair attached to seeds
    • Deer Resistance:High
    • Zone:5-8
    • Native Status: NC native (parent plant), rare in the Mountains
    • Provenance:Unknown, asexually produced