Smooth Aster 'Bluebird'
Symphyotrichum laeve 'Bluebird'
Clear lavender-blue fall flowers so dense the foliage disappears. Blue-gray waxy leaves, no staking, and drought-tolerant once established.
Typically 1 pint–1 gal · $9–$30 · final price at pickup
- Thu, Aug 138 AM – 4 PM
- Fri, Aug 148 AM – 4 PM
- Sat, Aug 158 AM – 2 PM
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.
A nursery-grown plant, ready for the ground.
Healthy, container-grown smooth aster 'bluebird' propagated on-site at Hill House from regional genetics. Includes a one-page care card. We make every effort to supply plants as listed; occasionally we substitute a similar species of equal value.
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- Dry
- Mature size
- 2–3 ft · 24–36 in wide
- Bloom time
- September–October
- Bloom color
- Lavender, Blue
- USDA zones
- 4–8
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native range
- Eastern and central North America, from Quebec south to Georgia, west to New Mexico
Care notes for smooth aster 'bluebird'.
Plant in full sun in well-drained to dry, average soil. Does not tolerate wet or heavy clay soil. Cut back by half in late May to encourage compact growth and prevent flopping. Leave seed heads through winter for birds. Divide every 3-4 years in spring to maintain vigor. Drought-tolerant once established.
Pairs well with these.
Same light, same soil, same wildlife. Janet's picks to plant alongside smooth aster 'bluebird'.
Or skip the guesswork.
Curated packages bundle complementary species for an instant habitat. One reservation, one pickup day, a printed layout map.
Short on Space Package
For gardeners who have an abundance of passion but are short on space, this package features tidy, upright, clump-forming natives that behave and function well in small spaces.
Shade Bed Package
Ferns, sedges, and woodland natives that thrive under existing trees.
Birder’s Paradise Package
For the avid bird watchers and budding ornithologists in our community, the Birder’s Paradise Package consists of species that Hill House Nursery staff and longtime native plant advocates such as Doug Tallamy consider ‘premier bird garden plants’.