The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled.
Unsupported Browser
This website will offer limited functionality in this browser. To place an order or shop, please use one of the following browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.
Aster oblongifolius 'Raydon's Favorite' (Aromatic Aster) is an essential fall-blooming perennial with showy violet-blue flowers that attract butterflies. A highly rated garden performer that is widely adapted and grows in a variety of soil types.
To determine if a plant is sufficiently cold hardy, the USDA created numbered zones indicating winter low
temperatures; the lower the zone number the colder the winter.
If the coldest winter temperature expected in your area is -15°F (zone 5) then any plants rated zones 3-5 will
survive the winter temperatures in your area.
If you live in very warm winter areas (zones 9-11) plants with zones 3-4 ratings are not recommended. The lack
of freezing winter temperatures do not provide a time for winter dormancy (rest).
Aster oblongifolius 'Raydon's Favorite' (Aromatic Aster) is one of our most reliable native perennial asters. It has a strikingly beautiful mounded appearance with attractive foliage. Blooming in mid- to late fall, it displays large clusters of blue-purple, daisy-like flowers on a 2-3 ft. tall multi-stemmed plant. Highly attractive to native bees and butterflies, this plant is an essential nectar source for pollinating insects preparing for winter. Vigorous and unfussy in the garden, 'Raydon's Favorite' Aster grows in rocky, loam and clay soils and withstands difficult growing conditions very well. It was a top-rated selection in the Chicago Botanic Garden trials, exhibiting exceptional flower production and outstanding winter hardiness. Plant it with Gold Standard Tickseed (Coreopsis 'Gold Standard'), Santa Fe Perennial Sunflower (Helianthus 'Santa Fe'), Prairie Dropseed Grass (Sporobolus) and Santa Fe Phlox (Phlox nana). Nearly of heirloom status and grown for many years, it was introduced into cultivation by San Antonio gardener Raydon Alexander, who got it in the wilds of Tennessee .
More Information
SKU
HC015195
Item Package Size
Plant - 5" Deep Pot
Common Name
Raydon's Favorite Aromatic Aster
Botanical Name
Aster oblongifolius Raydon's Favorite
Zones
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Light Requirements
Full Sun
Flower Color
Purple
Mature Height
24-36" tall
Mature Spread
12-24" wide
Bloom Time
Early to late fall
Ships As
Potted Plant
Soil Type
Average Soil, Sandy Soil, Clay Soil
Soil Moisture
Waterwise, Average
Advantages
Bee Friendly, Attract Butterflies, Deer Resistant, Native, Great For Mass Plantings, Extended Bloom Time (more than 4 weeks), Easy To Grow, Good For Cut Flowers, Fragrant Flower / Foliage, Good For Erosion Control, Rabbit Resistant
Ideal Region
Northeast, Midwest, West, Southwest, Pacific Northwest, Coastal California
Planting Time
Spring / Summer, Fall
Ships To Canada
No
Planting Guides
Growing Aster (Aster) These are late summer/fall blooming native wildflowers that are easy-to-grow and provide an ample late season nectar supply for butterflies and bees. As such, they are an indispensible perennial for late season color and for feeding migrating Monarchs. Asters are resistant to browsing rabbits.
Preferred growing conditions:
They grow well in most any type of soil including clay.
Mulch with common mulching materials as well as gravel when planted in a xeriscape.
Most do well with regular irrigation to keep the soil moderately moist. Some species are more xeric.
Plant in full sun or part sun. Some varieties will stretch in too much shade
Just a few handfuls of compost and Yum Yum Mix in the planting hole is enough. Don't plant into a rich, highly amended soil.
Special comments:
Species that spread to form wide growing clumps can be divided in mid-spring.
Garden Care:
Fertilize in the fall with Yum Yum Mix and good quality compost.
Deadheading is not necessary, but will reduce re-seeding of seed-grown varieties.
Leave standing over the winter months and cut back hard to 1 to 2" above the ground.
If foliage becomes affected with mildew at the end of the growing season, cut back to the ground and remove the leaves/stems to the compost pile or trash.
View more Planting Guides, or download our complete Planting Guide for tips on caring for your plants when you receive your order, as well as planting instructions for Perennials, Spring-Planted Bulbs, Fall-Planted Bulbs, Cacti & Succulents, Xeric Plants and more.
Shipping
No longer available this season.
As soon as your order is placed you will receive a confirmation email. You will receive a second email the day your order ships telling you how it has been sent. Some perennials are shipped as potted plants, some as perennial roots packed in peat. The ‘Plant Information’ section describes how that item will ship. All perennials and spring-planted bulbs are packaged to withstand shipping and are fully-guaranteed. Please open upon receipt and follow the instructions included.
Perennials and spring-planted bulbs are shipped at the proper planting time for your hardiness zone. Perennial and spring-planted bulb orders will arrive separately from seeds. If your order requires more than one shipment and all items are shipping to the same address, there is no additional shipping charge. See our shipping information page for approximate ship dates and more detailed information. If you have any questions, please call Customer Service toll-free at (800) 925-9387 or contact us by email.
Shipping Rates
Our shipping rates are calculated based on our actual average shipping costs. We do not seek to profit from shipping fees, so rest assured that our shipping rates reflect an average of what it costs to get our guaranteed products safely to your door.
US Shipping Charges
Merchandise Total
Shipping Charges
Up to $19.99
$8.99
$20 to $34.99
$10.99
$35 to $49.99
$12.99
$50 to $74.99
$14.99
$75 to $99.99
$16.99
$100 and Over
$18.99
Canadian Shipping Charges
Merchandise
Shipping Charges
Up to $24.99
$14.95
$25 to $49.99
$19.95
$50 to $74.99
$24.95
$75 to $99.99
$29.95
$100 and Over
$39.95
We charge one low flat rate for shipping our products even if your order requires multiple shipments. If you have any questions, please call us at (800) 925-9387.
 is an essential fall-blooming perennial with showy violet-blue flowers that attract butterflies. A highly rated garden performer that is widely adapted and grows in a variety of soil types.)
