Aromatic Aster 'October Skies' (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium) 50 Seeds Plant Type; Native Perennial, Height; Short 18", Spacing; Plant 20" apart, Bloom Time; Mid-Late Fall, Bloom Color: Violet, Sun; Full Sun to Mostly Sunny, Growing Zones; 3-8, Soil Type; Normal, Clay, Water Needs; Medium.

Special Features; Beneficial for Pollinators, Attracts Butterflies, Good for Cut Flowers, Long-Blooming, OK in Containers, Seaside/Salt Tolerant

Later Season Nectar Source long after most flowers are gone, and even fall Mums are starting to fade, these bright beauties glow in the garden. A shorter, bushier, and bluer sister of 'Raydon's Favorite'. A strong growing low mound of bushy foliage covered in lavender blue flowers in mid fall. Highly tolerant of drought and poor soils, excellent groundcover potential. Asters are invaluable in the hardy border, adding superb color in the autumn. Very durable and long lived. Even heavy, wet soils will suit them. Richer soils will generally yield taller plants. Asters support bees and butterflies right up until season's end. The flowers of Aster October Skies completely cover the sweetly-scented foliage. Combines well with sedum and ornamental grasses.

Sow seeds on surface of moist, well-draining soil and lightly cover them with about 1/8” inch of soil. They can be direct-sown outdoors in late fall or early spring, or started indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Keep the soil consistently moist and the temperature between 65-75 F for germination, which takes about 10-20 days. Once seedlings emerge, thin them to about 6-8 inches apart. Transplant the seedlings after the last frost of spring. Pinching yields better branching and more flowers. Pinch back and divide like mums for best display, until 4th of July and not after. Can be divided every 2-3 years in spring. Avoid wet overwintering conditions. Remove spent flowers to prevent reseeding.