Aster laevis Bluebird (Smooth Aster)

Tiny dark blue and off-white star-shaped flowers hold a yellow centre. Narrow green hairy leaves make a thick foliage. Moderate growth rate.

Blooms late summer to early fall
2-3 ft tall x 2-3 ft wide
HARDY to -40°F (-40°C)
Deer resistant
Attracts butterflies
Drought tolerant
Tolerant to juglone
Moderate salt tolerance

Vivid daisy-like flowers sporting rosy purple petals that surround a red-orange cone bloom on top of strong stems. Rapid growth rate.

Use as cut or dried flowers. Be sure to keep some flowers in the garden over winter, as the blackened heads provide cold-season garden interest, as well as food for finches and other winter birds.

Blooms mid-spring to summer
2-4 ft tall x 1-2 ft spread
Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
Deer and rabbit resistant
Drought tolerant

Small yellow sunflower-like flowers with purple brown centres grow profusely on tall thin stems with sparse thin, dark green leaves. Moderate growth rate.

Blooms mid-summer to early fall
2-6 ft tall x 2 ft spread
Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds
Deer and rabbit resistant
Drought tolerant

An abundance of silvery pink plumes that mature to fluffy silvery white rise above arching narrow blades of variegated green with thin white midribs that become a light shade of wheat in fall. Moderate growth rate. 

Blooms mid-spring  
HARDY to -20 °F (-28.9 °C)
6-8 ft tall x 2.5-3 ft spread
Drought tolerant
Tolerant to juglone
Salt tolerant
Deer and rabbit resistant

Masses of bright yellow ray flowers with dark brown centres bloom on bright green, hairy foliage in a compact habit. Moderate growth rate.

Blooms early to late summer
2-3 ft tall x 2-3 ft spread
HARDY to -30°F (-34.4°C)
Drought tolerant
Deer and rabbit resistant
Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds

This tall, clump-forming perennial features multi-branched hairy stems each topped with a spire that blooms to reveal tiny purple flowers. The foliage is comprised of sharply serrated lanceolate green leaves. Moderate growth rate.

Blooms mid-summer
2-4 ft tall x 1-2.5 ft spread
HARDY to -40°F (-40°C)
Drought tolerant
Deer and rabbit resistant
Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds