{"product_id":"aromatic-aster-plant-sets","title":"Aromatic Aster Plant Sets","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAromatic Aster\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eSymphyotrichum oblongifolium\u003c\/em\u003e) is a tough-as-nails native perennial that puts on a breathtaking grand finale—blanketing itself in vibrant, violet-blue daisies just as the rest of the garden goes to sleep.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"11,1\"\u003eA compact, naturally mounding powerhouse, Aromatic Aster is celebrated as one of the very best late-season native flowers in North America. Reaching a tidy 1 to 3 feet tall and wide, it thrives in dry, lean, sun-drenched soils where other perennials scorch. When its foliage is brushed or crushed, it releases a delightful, minty balsam fragrance, followed by a tidal wave of golden-centered purple blooms that persist from September straight through November's hard frosts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"padding-left: 20px; list-style-position: outside;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLate-Season Pollinator Lifeline:\u003c\/strong\u003e Blooms late into autumn—providing a vital, life-saving nectar source for migrating Monarch butterflies, native bees, and beneficial pollinators when almost nothing else is flowering.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKeystone Caterpillar Host:\u003c\/strong\u003e As part of the keystone genus \u003cem\u003eSymphyotrichum\u003c\/em\u003e, it serves as a critical larval host for the Pearl Crescent butterfly and over 100 native moth species.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTough \u0026amp; Drought-Proof:\u003c\/strong\u003e Thrives in hot, dry, poor, rocky, or sandy soils in full sun, needing little care once established.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTidy, Mounding Habit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Unlike leggy asters that require wire cages or staking, this species forms a dense, self-supporting bush shape.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAromatic Foliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Blue-green leaves release a pleasant balsam scent when brushed or crushed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEco-Friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e Grown non-GMO and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/content.gardenforwildlife.com\/learn\/neonicotinoids-kill-butterflies-thats-why-we-dont-use-them\"\u003eneonicotinoid-free\u003c\/a\u003e to ensure a healthy ecosystem for your local wildlife.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur plants ship in 3-inch pots, have a developed root mass, and emerging foliage around 2-5 inches high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy Choose Aromatic Aster?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"11,6\"\u003eAromatic Aster is the undisputed hero of the autumn garden. If you want to extend your garden’s bloom season by an extra month while rescuing hungry late-season pollinators, this plant is an absolute necessity. It requires zero pampering, no staking, and no extra fertilizer. As the purple blooms age into fluffy seed heads, native songbirds like goldfinches will visit your yard all winter long to feast on the energy-rich seeds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Tips:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col style=\"padding-left: 20px; list-style-position: outside;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLocation: \u003c\/strong\u003ePlant in full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight for maximum blooms and the tightest shape). Thrives in dry, well-drained, poor, or rocky soils.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatering: \u003c\/strong\u003eWater regularly during the first growing season to establish roots. Once established, it tolerates occasional dry spells.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Minimal care required. There's no need to deadhead the flowers, as allowing them to go to seed provides a valuable food source for birds. Leaving the stems standing in the fall offers overwintering sites for beneficial insects. If desired, cut back the stems in late spring after pollinators have emerged.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor more information on planting, view our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/content.gardenforwildlife.com\/learn\/how-to-plant-your-native-plants\"\u003eHow to Plant Your Native Plants\u003c\/a\u003e guide and other \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/content.gardenforwildlife.com\/learn\/tag\/planting-tips\"\u003eplanting tips\u003c\/a\u003e in the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/content.gardenforwildlife.com\/learn\"\u003eGarden for Wildlife Learning Center\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"11,10\"\u003eEnd the gardening season with a bang—add Aromatic Aster to your yard for a carpet of electric violet-blue blooms that saves migrating butterflies and feeds winter songbirds.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Garden for Wildlife","offers":[{"title":"3-Pack","offer_id":54365661921646,"sku":"GFW-ECOM-COL-RMTASTER-3","price":38.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"6-Pack","offer_id":54365661954414,"sku":"GFW-ECOM-COL-RMTASTER-6","price":68.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"12-Pack","offer_id":54365661987182,"sku":"GFW-ECOM-COL-RMTASTER-12","price":108.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0521\/4047\/4568\/files\/aromatic-aster-plant-sets-7415453.png?v=1784741602","url":"https:\/\/gardenforwildlife.com\/products\/aromatic-aster-plant-sets","provider":"Garden for Wildlife","version":"1.0","type":"link"}