Chicago Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'Chicago')
sim-fee-oh-TRIK-um ob-lonj-ih-FOE-lee-um 'Chicago'

Deciduous Perennial Mounded in the Asteraceae Family
 
Buy Chicago Aster
Size Notes Price Availability
50 plug flat Field

Budded. Showing color (9/13)

 $155.00 Likely available
1/24 - 4/4
Tray of 6 #1 gallons Field

Budded. Showing color (9/13)

 $69.75 Likely available
1/24 - 4/4

A compact, mounding native aster whose crushed foliage releases a balsam-like scent, with lavender-blue flowers blanketing the plant from late summer into fall. Deer and rabbits tend to leave it alone.

Symphyotrichum oblongifolium (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium) 'Chicago', or Chicago Aster, is a compact, mounding selection of the native Aromatic Aster, reaching 30 to 36 inches tall and wide. Its foliage releases a distinctive balsam-like fragrance when brushed or crushed, a trait shared by the whole species and the source of its common name. From late summer into early fall it is smothered in lavender-blue, daisy-like flowers with yellow centers, right as many other perennials are finishing for the season.

Pros

  • Compact, tidy mounded habit at 30-36 inches, easy to fit into a border
  • Aromatic foliage naturally deters browsing by deer and rabbits
  • Reliable late-season color when most other perennials have finished blooming
  • Drought-tolerant once established, needing little supplemental care

Cons

  • Needs full sun for the best, most floriferous display
  • Like other aromatic asters, can flop if grown in overly rich or shaded conditions
  • Fragrance, while pleasant to most, is noticeable when foliage is handled
Highlights

One of the few native perennials whose foliage is genuinely deer- and rabbit-resistant thanks to its aromatic, balsam-scented leaves, paired with a tidy, well-behaved mounded habit and a long season of late fall color.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 30 - 36 inches tall. 30 - 36 inches wide.
Growth Rate Moderate
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Dry - Medium:

Prefers average to dry moisture and is drought-tolerant once established; does not tolerate consistently wet or poorly-drained soil.
Zones 3a - 8b (Usually hardy to -40° F)
Tags Attracts Bees, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Pollinators, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Dry, Extended Bloom Time, Fall Color, Fall interest, Fragrant Foliage, Full Sun, Good for Butterfly Garden, Illinois Native, Low Maintenance, Medium, Mounded, Native to North America, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Popular For Fall, Showy Flowers
Bloom Period Late Summer To Early Fall
Flower Color Lavender-Blue, Yellow Center
 

In The News

Commonly Planted with...

Pairs beautifully with ornamental grasses and other late-season bloomers such as goldenrod (Solidago) and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), whose textures and colors complement its lavender-blue flowers.
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Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2024 : 07/02 - 09/08
2023 : 06/21 - 08/05

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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.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!