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Symphyotrichum laeve Smooth Blue Aster

Ohio Native Plant Natural Range

To view the natural range of Symphyotrichum laeve visit the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service website.
Symphyotrichum laeve - in the fall notice the clasping leaves

Cultivation Information Smooth Blue Aster

Symphyotrichum laeve by Roger Dahlin

Height - 2 to 3 ftFlower Color - BlueBlooms - August to OctoberSun - Part to fullHardy Zone - 3 to 9Soil - AveragePerennial Family - Asteraceae
Our front yard a few years back!

Wildlife Significance Smooth Blue Aster

Oligolectic Bees – are bees that are very particular as to what plant family they gather their nectar and pollen. False Sunflower is such a plant for several bees: Andrena accepta, Andrena aliciae, Andrena helianthi, Pseudopanurgus rugosus Host Plant - Pearl and Northern Crescent, Various Checkerspots, Painted ladies.
Annual Host Plants - Hollyhocks are also host plants for Painted ladies.
Nectar Source -Skippers, Butterflies: Painted Ladies, Monarchs and Sulphurs, wasps, flies, moths and beetles provides late fall food for bees (long-tongued and short-tongued)
Queen Bees - Queen Bumblebees visit asters to build up their food reserve in order to survive the winter.
Pollen Source - Bees, flies, beetles
Deer - Enjoy this plant
For detailed information on this plant, visit the Illinois Wildflower website.
Propagation Notes Symphyotrichum laeve
Stratifying Seeds
Information on stratifying Smooth Blue Aster seems to vary. I have had success by either sowing outdoors in the fall or cold moist storage in the refrigerator, starting in November.
I would imagine 30 day would be plenty, but we find it easier to stratify all of our seeds at once. However, I should mention that seeds stratified indoors are checked once a month. On occasion, they have sprouted while in cold storage. If this occurs, use a pair of tweezers and gently plant them into your cells. Keeping them moist and out of direct sun for a few days will improve your success rate.
Symphyotrichum laeve seedlings
Seed Provenance Symphyotrichum laeve
Nodding Onion Gardens 2013 - present. Prairie Moon Nursery - Winona, MN - 2012
Ohio Department of Agriculture Nursery Inspection 2010 - 2023
© 2023 Nodding Onion Gardens, LLCColumbia Station, Ohio 44028I

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