Symphyotrichium laeve, Smooth Aster
FS-PS, Zone 3, blooms August-September, 4’ x 1.5-2’. medium wet to medium dry
Keystone Species - Asters are the number 2 keystone perennial in our region. In general they can support 112 species of caterpillars as host plant and more than 30 species of Specialist Bees rely on the pollen Asters produce. Smooth Aster is known to support many Mining bees (Adrena). They have late season nectar crucial to native pollinators. By hosting a high diversity of caterpillars, it provides the essential protein source needed by 96% of terrestrial birds to raise their young.
Symphyotrichum laeve, commonly called smooth aster, is a Michigan native that typically occurs in prairies, rocky glades, dry open woods, roadside banks and thickets. Smooth Aster grows by fibrous roots that allow the plant to spread slowly. It is a long-lived perennial with blue-green foliage and sometimes the stems are bluish as well. The tough stem allows Smooth Aster to stand tall during its long late summer to mid fall bloom. Called Smooth Aster, because the leaves and stems are indeed smooth to the touch unlike most asters which are usually rough.
Asters are considered essential Keystone plants. They support 100 species of caterpillars and more than 30 species of Specialist Bees that rely on the pollen asters produce.
Attracts a wide variety of butterflies, native bees, honey bees, flies, bee flies, soldier beetles and the seeds are often eaten by birds.Asters host caterpillars of the Silvery Checkerspot Butterfly, Pearl Crescent Butterfly and several species of moths.
Symphyotrichium laeve, Smooth Aster
FS-PS, Zone 3, blooms August-September, 4’ x 1.5-2’. medium wet to medium dry
Keystone Species - Asters are the number 2 keystone perennial in our region. In general they can support 112 species of caterpillars as host plant and more than 30 species of Specialist Bees rely on the pollen Asters produce. Smooth Aster is known to support many Mining bees (Adrena). They have late season nectar crucial to native pollinators. By hosting a high diversity of caterpillars, it provides the essential protein source needed by 96% of terrestrial birds to raise their young.
Symphyotrichum laeve, commonly called smooth aster, is a Michigan native that typically occurs in prairies, rocky glades, dry open woods, roadside banks and thickets. Smooth Aster grows by fibrous roots that allow the plant to spread slowly. It is a long-lived perennial with blue-green foliage and sometimes the stems are bluish as well. The tough stem allows Smooth Aster to stand tall during its long late summer to mid fall bloom. Called Smooth Aster, because the leaves and stems are indeed smooth to the touch unlike most asters which are usually rough.
Asters are considered essential Keystone plants. They support 100 species of caterpillars and more than 30 species of Specialist Bees that rely on the pollen asters produce.
Attracts a wide variety of butterflies, native bees, honey bees, flies, bee flies, soldier beetles and the seeds are often eaten by birds.Asters host caterpillars of the Silvery Checkerspot Butterfly, Pearl Crescent Butterfly and several species of moths.
