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Aster laevis 'Bluebird' (Smooth Aster) covers itself with a profusion of violet-blue flowers that bloom in late summer through fall. It is a highly-rated wildflower that attracts all types of native bees and butterflies including migrating Monarchs.
Zones
4 - 8
Advantages
Attract Butterflies
Deer Resistant
Native
Great For Mass Plantings
Extended Bloom Time (more than 4 weeks)
Easy To Grow
Low Maintenance
Good For Cut Flowers
Good For Erosion Control
Light Requirements
Full Sun
Morning Sun & Afternoon Shade
Water Tolerance
Low-Water
Mature Height
36-48" tall
Mature Spread
24-36" wide
Bloom Time
Late summer to late fall
Shipping Details
Now shipping to zone 10. Other zones shipping soon. Learn More…
Item Package Size
Plant - 5" Deep Pot
SKU
HC015194
USDA Hardiness Planting Zones
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 laevis 'Bluebird' (Smooth Aster) is one of the very best of our native Asters, providing a profusion of 1-inch violet-blue flowers held in clusters at the tips of the growing stems. Attractive blue-green foliage provides garden interest prior to the showy flowers. 'Bluebird' was introduced by Dr. Richard Lightly of the Mt. Cuba Center botanical gardens where it was rated as the #1 performing Aster in their garden evaluation of the genus. Asters should be a mainstay of the late summer and fall garden—they’re easy-to-grow and invaluable nectar sources for all types of native bees and butterflies, including migrating Monarchs. Growing readily in a wide range of soil types including clay, Bluebird Smooth Aster is a care-free perennial that should be planted in every garden.
More Information
SKU
HC015194
Item Package Size
Plant - 5" Deep Pot
Common Name
Bluebird Smooth Aster
Botanical Name
Aster laevis Bluebird
Zones
4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Light Requirements
Full Sun, Morning Sun & Afternoon Shade
Flower Color
Blue
Mature Height
36-48" tall
Mature Spread
24-36" wide
Bloom Time
Late summer to late fall
Ships As
Potted Plant
Soil Type
Average Soil, Sandy Soil
Soil Moisture
Waterwise, Average
Advantages
Attract Butterflies, Deer Resistant, Native, Great For Mass Plantings, Extended Bloom Time (more than 4 weeks), Easy To Grow, Low Maintenance, Good For Cut Flowers, Good For Erosion Control
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
Zone
Shipping Status
Zone 2
Shipping begins the week of May 15th, 2023
Zone 3
Shipping begins the week of May 15th, 2023
Zone 4
Shipping begins the week of May 15th, 2023
Zone 5
Shipping begins the week of May 1st, 2023
Zone 6
Shipping begins the week of April 17th, 2023
Zone 7
Shipping begins the week of April 3rd, 2023
Zone 8
Shipping begins the week of April 3rd, 2023
Zone 9
Shipping begins the week of April 3rd, 2023
Zone 10
Now Shipping
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.
 covers itself with a profusion of violet-blue flowers that bloom in late summer through fall. It is a highly-rated wildflower that attracts all types of native bees and butterflies including migrating Monarchs.)
