Smooth Aster - Aster laevis

This hardy plant blooms well into November. It grows about 3-feet tall and has a tough stem that keeps it upright. Butterflies appreciate the nectar of its lavender-blue flowers in the fall. Looks a lot like Sky Blue Aster, but this plant has smooth leaves. Host plant for Pearl Crescent butterfly and Wavy-Lined Emerald moth.

Type: MN Native perennial
Sun: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Well-drained
Pot Size: 4-inch pot
Other: Benefits from regular watering during dry spells

Image Credit: wackybadger, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons