Showy Aster vs Alpine Bluegrass - TreeTime.ca

Showy Aster vs Alpine Bluegrass

Eurybia conspicua

Poa alpina

CUSTOM GROW

CUSTOM GROW

Showy Aster
Alpine Bluegrass

Showy Aster is a native perennial wildflower recognized for its tall stems topped with clusters of light purple blooms. Blooming from late summer into autumn, it provides an important late-season source of nectar and pollen for pollinators. It also produces seeds that are eaten by birds, extending its value to wildlife beyond the flowering season.

Drought tolerant once established, Showy Aster grows well in urban, rural, and disturbed sites. With its mix of ecological value and ornamental appeal, it is ideal for pollinator gardens, naturalization projects, and ecological restoration.

Alpine Bluegrass is a native perennial bunchgrass adapted to cold, high-altitude, and northern environments. It establishes well in harsh mountain and tundra conditions, thriving even in nutrient-poor soils. Its dense tufts provide reliable ground cover in alpine and subalpine habitats.

Hardy and low-maintenance, Alpine Bluegrass is valued in revegetation and erosion control projects due to its strong root system. It provides forage for wildlife and livestock, while its dense growth also offers cover for small animals. Well-suited for reclamation and soil stabilization in high-elevation and northern regions, Alpine Bluegrass is a key species for strengthening fragile landscapes, though it is also found in lower-elevation sites.

Showy Aster Quick Facts

Alpine Bluegrass Quick Facts

Zone: 2b
Zone: 3a
Height: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Height: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)
Spread: 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
Spread: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: any
Moisture: any
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Growth form: upright, colony-forming
Growth form: clump-forming
Spreading: rhizomes - medium, seeds - medium
Spreading: seeds - medium


Flowers: purple-blue, with yellow centers
Bloom time: late summer to early fall
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NL, YT, NT, NU
Other Names: western showy aster
Other Names: alpine speargrass, mountain speargrass