Slough Grass vs Smooth Aster - TreeTime.ca

Slough Grass vs Smooth Aster

Symphyotrichum laeve

Beckmannia syzigachne

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

CUSTOM GROW

Smooth Aster
Slough Grass

Smooth Aster is a native perennial wildflower known for its violet-blue, daisy-like flowers. They bloom later in the season, from late summer to early fall. The flowers attract a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. It also serves as a host plant for the Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis) and Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos) butterflies, further enhancing its ecological value. This easy-to-grow wildflower is well suited for native wildflower gardens, pollinator gardens, and naturalization projects.

The Smooth Aster’s non-aggressive root system allows it to spread slowly, and it is more likely to reproduce by seed, which can be controlled through deadheading.

Slough Grass is a hardy grass that will happily grow in any wet soil. It is usually found near water and is common haymaking material or forage.

Slough Grass is also useful for erosion control and land reclamation.

Smooth Aster Quick Facts

Slough Grass Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 1a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Spread: 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: wet
Growth rate: very fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: none
Suckering: none


Foliage: thin, tubular
Flowers: purplish-blue; daisy-like
Flowers: yellowish, green
Bloom time: late summer to early fall
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT
Other Names: glaucous aster, smooth blue aster
Other Names: sloughgrass, western slough grass