Perennial
This is a welcome dash of cool, rich color for your pollinator or native plant garden. 'October Skies' aster looks unassuming most of the season, with deep green spiky foliage that's handsome enough—but come autumn, it bursts forth with adorable lavender-blue daisy-like flowers. At the crucial late-season stage, they provide much-needed nectar for butterflies and other pollinators and bring color and interest to the garden, too.
'October Skies' is deer and rabbit-resistant (though rabbits may nibble it in early spring if other food sources are scarce, this doesn't seem to impact later performance) and less susceptible to powdery mildew than other types.
Vital Details:
Plant size: 1.5' tall x 1.5' wide
Light: Full sun (6+ hrs/day)
Hardiness: USDA zone 3-8 (Find your hardiness zone)
Pollinator Value: Attracts butterflies of all types, as well as other pollinating insects.
Host Plant To The Following: Pearly Crescent, Painted Lady, Silvery Checkerspot butterflies.
Notable Features: Deer-resistant, long-blooming, drought tolerant, native, fragrant
Pot size: One quart
Plant name: Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'October Skies'
