A Mt. Cuba selection of the native smooth aster introduced by Dr. Richard Lighty, this tall, vase-shaped aster has large 1″ blue flowers held in clusters on arching branches. Pinching back young shoots in June will produce a denser habit with more flowers. Staking is helpful by late summer if you forget to pinch, or plant with native grasses for support. An excellent nectar source for migrating monarchs and other late season butterflies. Ranked #1 in Mt. Cuba Center’s aster evaluations.
Asters host over 109 species of caterpillars.