Symphyotrichum laeve, commonly known as Smooth Blue Aster, is a native perennial wildflower found in prairies, savannas, and open woodlands throughout Illinois. It thrives in full sun to partial sun and well-drained soils, tolerating dry to moderately moist conditions, making it an excellent choice for prairie restorations, pollinator gardens, and naturalized borders.
This upright, clump-forming plant typically grows 1.5 to 3 feet tall and is easily recognized by its smooth, waxy blue-green stems and lance-shaped leaves. From late summer into fall, it produces abundant clusters of lavender to violet-blue, daisy-like flowers with yellow centers that gradually turn reddish. The blooms are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other late-season pollinators.
For Illinois native plant enthusiasts, Symphyotrichum laeve is a showy and ecologically valuable aster that provides crucial late-season nectar. It adds vibrant color and fine texture to native plantings and combines beautifully with Goldenrods, Blazingstars, and Little Bluestem in sunny, pollinator-friendly landscapes. Its strong stems and long bloom time make it a standout in both formal and naturalized settings.
Symphyotrichum laeve, commonly known as Smooth Blue Aster, is a native perennial wildflower found in prairies, savannas, and open woodlands throughout Illinois. It thrives in full sun to partial sun and well-drained soils, tolerating dry to moderately moist conditions, making it an excellent choice for prairie restorations, pollinator gardens, and naturalized borders.
This upright, clump-forming plant typically grows 1.5 to 3 feet tall and is easily recognized by its smooth, waxy blue-green stems and lance-shaped leaves. From late summer into fall, it produces abundant clusters of lavender to violet-blue, daisy-like flowers with yellow centers that gradually turn reddish. The blooms are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other late-season pollinators.
For Illinois native plant enthusiasts, Symphyotrichum laeve is a showy and ecologically valuable aster that provides crucial late-season nectar. It adds vibrant color and fine texture to native plantings and combines beautifully with Goldenrods, Blazingstars, and Little Bluestem in sunny, pollinator-friendly landscapes. Its strong stems and long bloom time make it a standout in both formal and naturalized settings.
Bloom: late summer to early fall
Habitats: hillside; limestone glades; mesic black soil prairies; roadside embankments; rocky open woodlands; sandy woodlands; savannas; thickets; woodland edges
Lifespan: perennial
Moisture: mesic
Plant type (height): forb (1.5 to 3 feet)
Requirements: full sun to partial sun
Soil: clay-loam; loam; sandy loam; some rocky material
