Thunderdome Aster (Aster x 'Thunderdome')
ASS-ter ex 'Thunderdome'

Deciduous Perennial Bushy, Rounded in the Asteraceae Family
 
Buy Thunderdome Aster
Size Notes Price Availability
Tray of 6 #1 gallons Field

Budded (9/13)

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

A native hybrid combining New England Aster's deep purple flowers with Aromatic Aster's fragrant foliage and compact, bushy habit — deer and rabbit resistant.

'Thunderdome' is a hybrid between Aromatic Aster (Aster oblongifolius) and New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae), introduced in 2023 by Intrinsic Perennial Gardens. It combines the large, deep purple flowers of New England Aster with the fragrant foliage and bushy, substantial habit of Aromatic Aster, producing a compact, rounded plant that stays tidier than a straight New England Aster while retaining Aromatic Aster's drought tolerance. Blooms open in late August and continue into September, drawing bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

Pros

  • Deep purple flowers hold their color well over a long late-summer-into-fall bloom period
  • Compact, bushy habit stays tidier than straight New England Aster
  • Fragrant, aromatic foliage inherited from its Aromatic Aster parent
  • Genuinely deer and rabbit resistant, drought-tolerant once established

Cons

  • As a young hybrid introduction (2023), long-term garden performance is still being established
  • Sources give somewhat inconsistent spread figures — treat exact mature width as approximate
Highlights A 2023 introduction from Intrinsic Perennial Gardens combining two well-loved native asters — bred to keep New England Aster's showy purple flowers on a more compact, less floppy plant.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 3 - 4 feet tall. 30 - 36 inches wide.
Sun Exposure Partial Sun - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Dry - Medium
Zones 4a - 8b (Usually hardy to -30° F)
Tags Attracts Bees, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Pollinators, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Dry, Fall Color, Fall interest, Fragrant Foliage, Full Sun, Good for Borders, Good for Cottage Garden, Medium, Native to North America, Partial Sun, Perennial, Popular For Fall, Rabbit Resistant
Bloom Period Late August To September
Flower Color Deep Purple
Foliage Color Green
 

Plant Club Content

 

In The News

Want More photos of this plant? Try Google Image Search!
 


Pricing and Availability History

Click a label to toggle visibility for that size

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

© North Shore Plant Club 2026. Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions.

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.


Estimated Recipe Cost

The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.


Benefits of Membership

Want a better way to get great plants and make your yard look awesome? Create your account below and get:

  • The best plants… from the same sources the pros use, but at near wholesale prices
  • More plants in more sizes than anywhere else… whether you’re looking for classics or rarities; annuals, perennials or shrubs; one plant or a whole yardful!
  • "No Contact" delivery or easy pick-up at a site near you without fighting the retail crowds. You choose!

Membership is free, but — since we rely on delivery and local pick-up — you have to live near one of our hubs (or be willing to drive to a site to pick them up). If you live farther away, and would like to help us bring the club to your neighbors, please email helpusgrow@northshoreplantclub.com.

Already a member?
Login
About Ordering From The Plant Club

To secure the best prices for club members and make sure we know the current plants available from each nursery, we take orders only a couple of times a month.

Shoot us an email at help@northshoreplantclub.com, and we'll be happy to talk about plants or let you know when it's time to buy them!


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!