Aster oblongifolius October Skies

Aster oblongifolius 'October Skies', is a robust perennial that transforms into a cushion of large, vivid flowers with a rich deep sky blue colour and a dark yellow centre reminiscent of daisies between August and October or November. Its bluish-green foliage is aromatic when crushed, and its nectar-rich flowers attract butterflies. It is not very tall, so ideal for replacing summer perennials in pots or in borders. Easy to grow in sunny, sandy or clayey, moist to dry but well-drained soil, this aster has good longevity. It is drought-resistant and tolerates poor soils. It is also a beautiful cut flower.

Closely related to asters, the Symphyotrichum oblongifolium also belongs to the Asteraceae (formerly Compositae) family, which mainly consists of herbaceous plants. It is native to North America, from the eastern Rocky Mountains, where it grows in dry meadows and rocky slopes. The 'October Skies' cultivar, with a compact habit, establishes itself quite slowly and reaches 45-50 cm (18-20in) in all directions. It blooms in August or September and lasts until the first frost. Its lanceolate, blue-green foliage is aromatic when crushed. Its autumnal flowers, in vibrant colours, consist of numerous small heads resembling daisies, 4 cm (2in) in diameter, with a rich deep sky blue colour and a dark yellow centre. Deciduous and very hardy, it regrows from its crown each spring.

Aster oblongifolius 'October Skies' thrives in sunny locations with well-drained soil, even fairly dry in summer. Provide good air circulation to prevent powdery mildew. It is perfect for creating charming autumn scenes, combined with golden or coppery grasses, tall Sedums, and Echinaceas. Its relatives, the Chrysanthemums with brightly coloured heads, in pink, purple, orange, or white, give a richer appearance to the flowerbed. It can also be used in rockeries, borders, or containers to brighten up the surroundings of your house, maybe in front of your windows.