Symphyotrichum oblongifolium ‘October Skies’, commonly known as October Skies Aromatic Aster, is a compact native perennial prized for its abundant lavender-blue flowers and exceptional late-season color. Blooming in fall, this long-flowering aster creates a vibrant blanket of daisy-like blooms that attract butterflies, native bees, and other beneficial pollinators when many other garden plants have finished flowering. Its fragrant, fine-textured foliage adds additional interest and makes it a beautiful addition to sunny landscapes.

This low-maintenance native perennial thrives in full sun and prefers well-drained soils, including dry, sandy, and rocky conditions. Once established, October Skies Aromatic Aster is drought tolerant, heat tolerant, and deer resistant, making it an excellent choice for water-wise landscapes, pollinator gardens, prairie plantings, and native plant landscapes. Its spreading, mounding habit helps create a colorful groundcover-like display while requiring minimal care.

Ideal for landscape borders, rock gardens, mass plantings, meadow gardens, and naturalized areas, Symphyotrichum oblongifolium ‘October Skies’ pairs beautifully with ornamental grasses, goldenrods, coneflowers, and other late-blooming native perennials. Whether planted as a colorful accent or in sweeping drifts, October Skies Aromatic Aster delivers exceptional fall beauty, supports pollinators, and provides reliable performance in residential and commercial landscapes.

NOT INTENDED FOR CONSERVATION USE, PLEASE SEE STRAIGHT SPECIES