Smooth Blue Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve): Beautiful, Tough, and Apparently Delicious to Bunnies.
Smooth Blue Aster—formerly known as Aster laevis—is one of the loveliest late-season native wildflowers in the Northeast. With soft blue petals and a clean, upright form, it brings gentle color into the fall garden just when most blooms are fading. Bees, butterflies, and migrating monarchs adore it… and unfortunately, rabbits do too.
Taxonomic Background.
Smooth Aster is a member of the Asteraceae family, one of the largest plant families in the world. Its current scientific name is Symphyotrichum laeve, belonging to the North American “New World” asters. It was previously classified in the Aster genus, which is why many gardeners still know it by the older name Aster laevis. It’s native to eastern and central North America and thrives in sunny, open habitats.
Why Gardeners Love Smooth Blue Aster.
Smooth Aster generally offers:
- Silky blue-purple daisy-style blooms in late summer and fall.
- Nectar support for monarchs during migration.
- Host plant value for native caterpillars.
- Drought tolerance and resilience in full sun.
- Strong performance in meadows, borders, and slopes
It pairs beautifully with Little Bluestem, Thimbleweed, Wild Bergamot, and Aromatic Aster for a four-season native display.
The Bunny Problem.
Here’s the honest truth: rabbits love this plant. Fresh spring growth, especially in the first year, is extremely tempting to them. Many gardeners watch their Asters get chewed to shreds before the plants ever have a chance to get established.
The good news is that once Smooth Aster matures, the stems toughen and become far less appealing. The rabbit pressure mostly exists during establishment.
Protecting Smooth Blue Aster (Without Chemicals).
Use one or more of these strategies for the first growing season:
- Place a small wire cloche or hardware cloth around young plants.
- Tuck asters among aromatic neighbors like Monarda, Pycnanthemum, or Anise Hyssop.
- Avoid heavy fertilizing (soft, lush growth = tastier growth).
- Plant in clusters rather than single specimens.
Shortly, within a couple seasons, the plants typically become tall, woody, and vigorous enough to hold their own.
Where Smooth Blue Aster Shines.
Smooth Blue Aster is basically a star of:
- Pollinator meadows.
- Dry clay slopes (great for erosion control).
- Sunny borders.
- Naturalized native plantings.
It’s a keystone fall nectar source and one of the most important late-blooming natives for sustaining pollinators.
