Question: This is a blue aster in my massachusetts garden.part sun.dry and was purchased at garden in woods 15yrs ago. i …
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Question
This is a blue aster in my massachusetts garden.part sun.dry and was purchased at garden in woods 15yrs ago. i want to get more! They suggested I ask you as they are not sure. Unlike a.novi, it always is the SAME blue, is not upright but horizontal and usually 18-24 inches max. blooms in sept. thankyou!
Answer
Dear abadams2, the plant looks like Symphyotrichum patens (late purple American-aster). The clasping leaves are characteristic of this species, along with the ray flower color and details of the involucral bracts (the green bracts below the flowers at the base of each flower head). You can confirm this identification by looking at the involucral bracts with magnification--they should have stipiate-glands (i.e., tiny hairs with an expanded gland at the apex). Best wishes.
