Little Asters Everywhere*

Asteraceae that is!

The plants formerly known as asters are blooming like gangbusters at Clay and Limestone. The Aster tataricus has been blooming for quite some time. It's a favorite of all the bees, skippers, moths and recently several Monarch Butterflies.

Monarch on Aster tataricus ...
Do enlarge this photo!

Once the rains stopped the fall blooming native asters popped open! Now there is a cloud of lilac-blue that is humming with bees all over the front gardens! The blue cloud is lovely to see, but in the deeper shade of the central bed it is nearly impossible to capture. Shooting macro is much more successful and fun. I can get up close and personal with the bees. They are too busy to pay attention to anyone. They rarely buzz me and, even when I am in their space, they move quickly on to the next flower. They're in hyperdrive to collect as much nectar as possible...winter is coming.

Symphyotrichum shortii

I have tentatively identified one of the blue asters as Aster shortii.
Now known as Symphyotrichum shortii. It's my favorite and I look forward to it blooming
each fall.

Symphyotrichum shortii formerly know as Short's Aster

Symphyotrichum shortii is a very prolific flowerer. According to Illinois Wildflower~
It can bloom for almost two months and spreads by seed and root to form small colonies!

That's my experience, too!
Long time readers will know
that words like colony, spreads by seed and roots won't scare me off...
Unless we are talking about the notorious Vinca gang or bush honeysuckle.
(Go here for the post)
I have the space and want the look of a buzzing cloud of blue.

It has been known to bloom lightly, here and there,
in the more protected parts of the garden until December.
That's a very nice habit.
Gardeners can forgive it falling over from bloom heaviness
when we add up all the pluses.
long bloom
easy care
beautiful blue flowers
bees and butterflies adore it

The Tartar Aster is not a native, but,
has been a big food source
for late visiting butterflies and bees.
I love 'Pardon My Big Aster'.
That's my name for this leggy beauty.

It's a lovely plant that makes a great big statement.
Even it's leaves are big.
It's a terrific antidote to the garden's serious case of 'Small Leaf Syndrome'.
Thank you Mother Nature for making this plant attractive to bees and butterflies...
Being a good critter magnet is an added bonus!

The pleasantly warm days and cool nights of autumn
are bringing changes to the garden.
I can see the first of the yellows in the tops of the tallest trees.
Fall can be a long season in the Middle South...
lasting until December, with occasional freezes.
It's a time for open windows, porch sitting and
reflection.

I wish you were here to sit with me in the garden.

Gail


*With thanks apologies to Rebecca Wells for use of her book title Little Altars Everywhere
A great read, btw.