Aster oblongifolius 'Raydon's Favorite' - AROMATIC ASTER 'RAYDON'S FAVORITE'

Aromatic aster 'Raydon's Favorite' is another superb cultivar of aromatic aster, in comparison with great 'October Skies', this one is a bit later blooming and a bit more robust.

Excellent garden performer and highly attractive to many butterflies, all of this confirmed by Mt. Cuba research center and also from our experiences in plantings in Bloomington, IN.

This selection is probably originated near Lookout Mountain, Tennessee. It was collected by Raydon Alexander (San Antonio, Texas), who marked it as "favorite". Plantsman Allan Bush received piece of it for propagation and sold the first plants at Holbrook Farms. 

Advantages :

1 - dense ground covering mounds, completely covered with small blue flowers, about 3' tall and over 3' wide (leave enough room for it)

2 - very late bloom period in September/November - after all the native asters finished flowering. Flowers for over 4 weeks.

3 - important late source of nectar for butterflies, including back to Mexico migrating monarchs (and hosts caterpillars of the Silvery Checkerspot Butterflies and of several moths)

4 - very adaptable plant to all the soil types and moisture reaching from dry to medium/moist, tough, drought and heat tolerant perennial. Sun to half shade.

5 - deer and rabbit resistant, black walnut tolerant and virtually no care plant

6 - great cut flower, it's an herb too -tea made from the roots was used for treating fever. Crushed or rubbed leaves have pleasant aroma.

Superior plant for public landscaping (for example for dry traffic islands, big city containers) and smaller private gardens too - in borders, low maintenance plantings, water-wise landscaping, cottage gardens, butterfly or pollinator gardens, great edging plant or substitute for garden mums. Goes well with Asclepias tuberosa, Echinacea, Rudbeckia, Monarda and many other perennials, including tall bearded irises or daylillies (Hemerocallis).

Hardy in zones 3 to 8. Wild species of A. oblongifolius is native to Northeastern and central United States – grows on limestone glades, slopes, prairies and dry open ground. See distribution on USDA map. New name for this aster is Symphyotrichum oblongifolium.

Picture copyright : Mt. Cuba research center

Pot Size : square 3.5" x 4" deep pot