Move Over Mums: Why Aromatic Aster Deserves the Spotlight
When autumn arrives, garden centers fill with chrysanthemums. While their neat, button-like blooms may look appealing, mums rarely offer much to pollinators—and their impact fades quickly once frost arrives. If you want a perennial that’s both beautiful and ecologically powerful, look no further than Aster oblongifolium (commonly called Aromatic Aster).
This native aster is a late-season powerhouse: charming, abundant, deer-resistant, and absolutely buzzing with pollinators at a time when nectar is scarce.
A True Native Alternative to Mums
While mums are often treated as disposable décor, Aromatic Aster is a hardy perennial that comes back year after year. Its cheerful lavender-blue flowers with golden centers bloom from September into November, providing weeks of color when most gardens are winding down. The dome-like habit is just as tidy as a mum and far more resilient.
Why Pollinators Love It
By fall, nectar sources in the garden are dwindling. Aromatic Aster steps in right on time:
Bees flock to its flowers, including native bumblebees and solitary bees preparing for winter.
Butterflies sip nectar during migration, especially monarchs on their long journey south.
Beneficial insects such as hoverflies and beetles also take advantage of its late bloom.
It’s no exaggeration to say that this plant is a lifeline in the fall landscape.
Garden-Friendly Traits
Beyond ecological value, Aster oblongifolium checks all the boxes for home gardeners:
Deer and rabbit resistant thanks to its aromatic foliage.
Low-maintenance—thrives in full sun and average, well-drained soils.
Compact and mounding—usually 18–24” tall, forming a lush dome that needs little staking or fuss.
Drought tolerant once established.
Unlike some asters that can spread aggressively, Aromatic Aster behaves politely in garden beds, making it a designer’s dream for borders, meadows, and pollinator patches.
Cultivars to Know
The straight species is wonderful, but a few cultivars stand out:
‘Raydon’s Favorite’ – Known for exceptionally abundant blooms and a long season.
‘October Skies’ – Compact, with a dense, rounded form and soft periwinkle flowers.
Both are excellent replacements for non-native mums, delivering charm plus ecological benefits.
Why Choose Aromatic Aster?
Because it’s more than just a pretty flower. Aster oblongifolium supports pollinators when they need it most, resists deer browsing, and provides a joyful splash of color long after summer flowers fade. It’s proof that native plants can be every bit as ornamental as traditional garden staples—while doing so much more for the world around them.
So next time you’re tempted by mums at the garden center, think long term. Plant Aromatic Aster, and enjoy a garden that’s buzzing with life, beauty, and purpose each fall.
