Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Aromatic Aster is one of the best perennials for carrying a garden into the very end of the season, covering itself in violet-blue flowers when most summer color is already fading. Symphyotrichum oblongifolium grows about 1 to 3 feet tall and wide, building a dense, bushy mound that looks fuller and more self-supporting than many fall asters. The stiff branching stems help it hold that rounded form through the entire season. This is our favorite perennial for dependable fall color in a dry, sunny spot.
This native perennial from the central and northeastern United States has fragrant foliage when crushed, fibrous roots, and rhizomatous spread that allows it to gradually fill in as a loose ground cover. Its flowers open blue to purple with yellow centers, then age to reddish purple. The blooms are valuable to butterflies and late pollinators, and the seedheads offer interest for birds after flowering. Use Aromatic Aster in pollinator beds, dry meadows, sunny borders, gravel gardens, or on slopes requiring drought tolerance and erosion control.
Aromatic Aster Care
Plant Aromatic Aster in full sun in well-drained soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH; it will also handle sandy or clay soil if drainage is good. Dry to medium moisture suits it well, and lean ground often helps it stay more compact. Avoid rich, wet sites that can lead to soft growth and mildew issues.
Water regularly while the plant is establishing, and reduce watering once the roots settle in. Established plants are quite drought tolerant and usually need extra water only during prolonged dry spells. Fertilizer is rarely needed, and too much feeding can encourage floppy growth instead of a dense fall display.
A light trim by no more than half in late spring or by June can help keep plants thicker and more rounded by bloom time. After flowering, cut stems back in late fall or leave some stems standing for overwintering insects and stem-nesting bees. Older clumps can be thinned or divided in early spring if they spread beyond their space or begin to open in the middle.
Aromatic Aster Spacing
Space Aromatic Aster about 18 to 30 inches apart, depending on how quickly you want plants to form a continuous ground cover. For containers, use a pot at least 16 to 18 inches wide with sharp drainage, and keep it in full sun for the strongest flowering.
Pair Aromatic Aster with goldenrod and little bluestem for a native-style planting that carries structure and bloom deep into fall. In containers, combine it with zinnia and verbena for a late-season mix that keeps pollinator activity and color going strong.
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2026. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
| Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
|---|---|
| Zone 10 | March 30th |
| Zone 9 | March 30th |
| Zone 8 | April 6th |
| Zone 7 | April 13th |
| Zone 6b | April 20st |
| Zone 6a | April 27th |
| Zone 5b | May 4th |
| Zone 5a | May 11th |
| Zone 4 | May 18th |
| Zone 3 | May 25th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!