Panicle Hydrangea vs Smooth Aster - TreeTime.ca

Panicle Hydrangea vs Smooth Aster

Hydrangea paniculata

Symphyotrichum laeve

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Panicle Hydrangea
Smooth Aster

Panicle Hydrangea is a large, broad-leaf, deciduous shrub that is prized for its ornamental appeal. It is easy to care for, long-lived, and cold-hardy.

Depending on the variety, its flowers change color throughout the blooming period. Make sure you water Panicle Hydrangeas regularly to achieve the most notable color change.

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. As a perennial, it dies back to the crown each winter, it will regrow from the base in the spring. Avoid disturbing the crown during late winter to ensure healthy growth the following season.

Panicle Hydrangea Quick Facts

Smooth Aster Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 3a
Height: 6 m (20 ft)
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Moisture: normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Flowers: white, strong scent, very showy
Flowers: purplish-blue; daisy-like
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: very fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: none




Other Names: white panicle hydrangea
Other Names: glaucous aster, smooth blue aster