Smooth Aster 'Bluebird'

Glaucous blue-gray foliage all season plus a spectacular fall bloom. two seasons of distinct interest in one tough, drought-tolerant plant.

'Bluebird' Smooth Aster is selected for especially clear, lavender-blue flowers and a more compact, upright form than the straight species. The blue-gray waxy foliage is attractive all season long, almost glaucous in appearance, which sets it apart from most other asters and provides a cool, distinctive texture in summer before the fall bloom. When the flowers open in September and October they cover the plant so densely the foliage nearly disappears. The smooth, glaucous stems don't need staking in full sun, and the plant is exceptionally drought-tolerant once established. Fall migrating monarchs and painted ladies congregate on it during warm October days, and the seed heads draw goldfinch and chickadees through winter. Few native plants have this combination of ornamental appeal, drought tolerance, and ecological value all in one.