{"product_id":"aromatic-aster","title":"Aromatic Aster (Symphyotruchum Oblongfolium)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLocal Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Aromatic Aster\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eSymphyotrichum oblongifolium\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Asteraceae\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNative Status\u003c\/strong\u003e: Dakota County Native \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLandscape Archetype: \u003c\/strong\u003ePrairie, Edgeland \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLife Cycle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Perennial \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun Exposure:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun, part sun (tolerates a surprising amount of shade)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil Moisture:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dry to Mesic\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Loam, Sand, Gravel, Silt\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeight \u0026amp; Width Range:\u003c\/strong\u003e Height: Knees (12\"–24\") Width: 24\"–48\", forming broad, mounded colonies over time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Color: \u003c\/strong\u003ePurple and Gold\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMorphology Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e A sprawling dense mound of woody-esque stems with many narrow, oblong, and rough, bristly leaves. When crushed, the foliage emits a pleasant aromatic scent. The latest of late season blooms erupt in a spectacular show of purple daisy flower with golden yellow centers. The root system is fibrous with short rhizomes that allow for gradual colony expansion. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFruits and Seeds: \u003c\/strong\u003eDry achenes with white pappus ripening in late fall. Not edible. Not known to be toxic. Seed heads persist modestly but are not strongly ornamental.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHabit and habitat:\u003c\/strong\u003e Grows as a mounding, clumping, loose mass in average garden soils, but in dry prairies, rocky openings, hill prairies, glades, and sun‑baked slopes it stays compact and tight. Thriving in lean, well‑drained sites, it shrugs off drought, heat, and high sun. In richer soils or partial shade, it will sprawl, open up, and flop around—but not in an unwelcome way; it can be a charming feature as it drapes over boulders, ledges, or container edges. Handles disturbance well, especially fire and light grazing. A mid‑summer “Chelsea Chop” helps control size and habit, delaying bloom slightly but often increasing flower density. This is the last vestige of true color in fall, sometimes blooming right up to Halloween.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompanions: \u003c\/strong\u003ePurple Poppy Mallow (\u003cem\u003eCallirhoe involucrata\u003c\/em\u003e), Little Bluestem (\u003cem\u003eSchizachyrium scoparium\u003c\/em\u003e), Prairie Dropseed (\u003cem\u003eSporobolus heterolepis\u003c\/em\u003e), Black‑eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Tall Hairy False Goldenaster (\u003cem\u003eHeterotheca camporum)\u003c\/em\u003e, Showy Goldenrod (\u003cem\u003eSolidago speciosa\u003c\/em\u003e) or any prairie Goldenrod species, Rattlesnake Master (\u003cem\u003eEryngium yuccifolium\u003c\/em\u003e), Foxglove Beardtongue (\u003cem\u003ePenstemon digitalis\u003c\/em\u003e). \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEcological Associations:\u003c\/strong\u003e Aromatic Aster blooms very late, drawing in a dense mix of fall pollinators — especially bumble bees like Common Eastern Bumble Bee (\u003cem\u003eBombus impatiens\u003c\/em\u003e) and Brown‑belted Bumble Bee (\u003cem\u003eBombus griseocollis\u003c\/em\u003e), as well as small native sweat bees (\u003cem\u003eLasioglossum spp\u003c\/em\u003e.) and late-season butterflies including Painted Lady (\u003cem\u003eVanessa cardui\u003c\/em\u003e) and Pearl Crescent (\u003cem\u003ePhyciodes tharos\u003c\/em\u003e). The persistent floral display provides crucial nectar during the seasonal downturn when few other natives remain in bloom. Despite the name, deer and rabbits will nibble a bit but far less than most asters. Aromatic Aster hosts several aster‑specialist insects, including Wavy‑Lined Emerald Moth (Synchlora aerata), Silvery Checkerspot (\u003cem\u003eChlosyne nycteis\u003c\/em\u003e), and Pearl Crescent (\u003cem\u003ePhyciodes tharos\u003c\/em\u003e). So, there’s a lot going on in that dense clump of a plant. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dakota County and\/or Greater MN\u003cbr\u003e\u003c!--[endif]--\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNH Propagation Technique:\u003c\/strong\u003e Seed and occasionally by root division or stolon.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Powers:\u003c\/strong\u003e A quietly vital food source for the bees, moths, and butterflies who never seem to know when to leave the party. They’re still hanging out in the floral kitchen, nursing a bottle of nectar and debating the existential threats of light pollution while you are cleaning up fallen leaves. It is summer nostalgia incarnate.   \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Northern Holler, LLC","offers":[{"title":"2.5\" POWER PLUG","offer_id":48188153299194,"sku":"SYMP-OBLO-01","price":3.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3.5” 1st YR Perennial","offer_id":48188511944954,"sku":"SYMP-OBLO-O4","price":5.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3.5” 2ND YR Perennial","offer_id":48188511879418,"sku":"SYMP-OBLO-02","price":7.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"6\" Standard Perennial","offer_id":48188511912186,"sku":"SYMP-OBLO-03","price":10.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0806\/9929\/3946\/files\/20230927_202302971_iOS.jpg?v=1772858941","url":"https:\/\/northernholler.com\/products\/aromatic-aster","provider":"Northern Holler, LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}