Smooth Aster vs Missouri Goldenrod

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.

Missouri Goldenrod is a native perennial wildflower known for its brilliant golden yellow flowers that bloom from late summer to early fall. The flower heads contain hundreds of tiny blossoms that attract a wide variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Fully opened flowers can also be used to make tea. As the season progresses, the flowers give way to fluffy seed heads, providing food for birds.

It can spread readily through its roots and self-seeding, this make Missouri Goldenrod well suited for hard-to-grow areas. This vigorous growth habit makes it an excellent choice for large planting areas, wildflower gardens, naturalized projects, prairie restoration, and erosion control.

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