Nativar to Know: ‘October Skies’ Aromatic Aster

This vibrant, shrubby perennial is sure to be the star of your fall garden

The year was 2012 , and I was cast around Boerner Botanical Gardens in Hales Corners , Wisconsin ( just south of Milwaukee ) on a crisp , other October morning . We had n’t had a severe frost yet , but declination colors were evident and autumn was in full swing . In the aloofness , I discover modest trend of something bloom in a fantastic shade of sky blue . I count on it was an aster but was amazed by the bloom coverage on the compendious , billowing mass of foliage that could hardly be see due to so many blooms . gratefully , the label was clear . That was my first institution to ‘ October Skies ’ redolent aster ( Symphyotrichum oblongifolium‘October sky ’ , zona 4–8 ) .

Origin and Prominent Features of Asters

Since that day , I have plant , develop , observed , and recommended this miscellanea dozens of time as a premiere compact aster selection with heavy flowering in tardy September to mid - October . Reaching 18 to 24 inches in elevation , this aster was breed by the Primrose Path nursery in Pennsylvania as a “ sister seedling ” of ‘ Raydon ’s Favorite ’ redolent aster ( Symphyotrichym oblongifolium‘Raydon ’s Favorite ’ , Zones 4–8 ) , which is also fantabulous . Although they are standardised , ‘ October Skies ’ is a more compact , denser selection that features a the great unwashed of salad days even bluer than ‘ Raydon ’s Favorite ’ . As an aromatic aster , ‘ October Skies ’ has a sweet scented fragrance that amount from the foliation , not the efflorescence . However , the sky - blue flowers with conspicuous yellow centers are as attractive to recent - season pollinators as they are to gardeners .

Pick the Perfect Spot for Your Aster

prefer full sun , this bushy choice tolerates dry to lightly moist situations and thrives in a range of grime types from sandy to Lucius Clay . In area where this choice is in richer soils and/or receives supplemental watering , it will achieve the marvellous terminal of the height stove . Well - drained grime are preferred , as is placement where air circulation is sufficient to help prevent mildew . This coinage is also drought and salt tolerant and can be planted near walnut tree ( Juglansspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) . While many asters are delicious for deer and rabbits , this species is not their favorite , so it might be avoided .

Design Ideas for Asters

‘ October Skies ’ is beautiful when incorporated throughout the landscape in areas where that late - season , gentle - flowering contribution will be revalue . This specie is frequently used in pee - impertinent combinations and in scummy - maintenance planting . Pinching the base back prior to former July ( as is done with many aster ) will ensue in an even more summary works with minimum flopping that will feature more flowers . This pick is fairly radical - sturdy already and normally creates a nice , thick tidy sum . In a combination , ‘ October Skies ’ is destine to be a later - season hit . It looks wonderful copulate with ‘ Little Henry ’ sweet-flavored coneflower ( Rudbeckia subtomentosa‘Little Henry ’ , Zones 4–10 ) , ‘ firework ’ rough - caulescent goldenrod ( Solidago rugosa‘Fireworks ’ , Zones 4–9 ) , or the late - season golden foliation of threadleaf bluestar ( Amsonia hubrichtii , zone 5–8 ) .

— Mark Dwyer , former director of horticulture at Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville , Wisconsin , operates Landscape Prescriptions by MD .

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