Arrested Development Smooth Aster (Aster laevis 'Arrested Development')
ASS-ter LAY-viss 'Arrested Development'

Deciduous Perennial Bushy, Compact in the Asteraceae Family
 
Buy Arrested Development Smooth Aster
Size Notes Price Availability
Tray of 6 #1 gallons Field

Budded. An Intrinsic Introduction! (9/13)

 $74.40 Likely available
11/1 - 11/8
1/24 - 4/4

A compact native aster bred for garden scale — bushy, 12-15in mounds of deep lavender-blue, late-summer-into-fall blooms on grayed-green foliage.

'Arrested Development' is a compact selection of the Illinois-native Smooth Aster (Aster laevis), introduced in 2022 by Intrinsic Perennial Gardens of Hebron, Illinois. Its name has a wry origin: the original plant was repeatedly browsed by rabbits, which kept it dwarfed compared to the straight species' typical 2-4 foot height — the breeders selected and propagated that naturally compact form rather than letting the accident stop there. The result is a bushy, well-branched clump 12-15in tall and wide, topped in late summer into fall with deep lavender-blue, yellow-centered daisy flowers over smooth, grayed-green foliage. Unpatented and true to its wild Illinois heritage, it fits gardens where the species' larger cousins would sprawl.

Pros

  • Compact, bushy 12-15in habit fits smaller borders where full-size Smooth Aster would need staking
  • Reliable deep lavender-blue, late-season color when most perennials are fading
  • Straight species is genuinely native to Illinois, supporting local pollinators and wildlife
  • Unpatented, low-maintenance, and drought-tolerant once established

Cons

  • Young foliage is a favorite of rabbits and deer — the plant's name comes from exactly this
  • May need division every few years to stay vigorous, like other asters
  • Sources disagree slightly on peak bloom timing (see Bloom Period note)
Highlights Introduced in 2022 by Intrinsic Perennial Gardens (Hebron, IL); its compact size is the direct result of rabbit browsing on the original wild-collected plant, later fixed as a stable, garden-worthy trait.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 12 - 15 inches tall. 12 - 15 inches wide.
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Dry - Medium
Zones 3a - 8b (Usually hardy to -40° F)
Tags Attracts Bees, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Pollinators, Attracts Wildlife, Deciduous, Drought Tolerant, Dry, Fall Color, Fall interest, Full Sun, Good for Borders, Good for Cottage Garden, Illinois Native, Low Maintenance, Medium, Native to North America, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Popular For Fall
Bloom Period August To September
Flower Color Deep Lavender-Blue, Yellow Center
Foliage Color Gray-Green
 

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Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2025 : 08/10 - 08/23
2024 : 07/02 - 09/08
2023 : 06/21 - 09/10

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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

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