Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'October Skies'

Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'October Skies' is a compact selection of a native wildflower that boasts loads of violet-purple blossoms with strong blue tones that vary in intensity with the light. The gray-green foliage is hidden under masses of 1" daisy-like flowers. These bushy, low-growing plants make an excellent ground cover.

Symphyotrichum is primarily native to North America, with a few species occurring in South America and Eurasia. This large genus within the Aster family includes over 90 species of mostly perennial plants that are hardy in Zones 3 through 8. Profuse, Daisy-like flowers bloom in late summer to fall, presenting a palette of colors, typically in shades of blue, purple, white, and pink. These blooms play a crucial role in supporting pollinators—such as bees and butterflies—when other blooms are diminishing. Plants prefer full sun to partial shade and thrive in well-drained soil, although they are adaptable to a variety of moisture levels and soil types. Symphyotrichums create a naturalistic planting and are a vibrant addition to perennial borders, providing both late-season color and an essential food source for wildlife.

For more information on growing and care, click Growing Guide.

We want our customers to receive strong, healthy plants that are ready to thrive in their gardens and homes. Here's what we'd like you to know about our shipping practices.

Delivery Timing

We aim to deliver your plants at as close to the proper time for planting in your area as possible. To do so, we consider the USDA Hardiness Zone to which we're shipping, current and forecasted weather at the destination and along the shipping route, and whether your plants are ready for transplant.

In spring, we ship first to the warmest regions and move north as planting conditions improve. For fall deliveries, we begin with the coolest regions and work south. We frequently adjust shipping schedules when extreme weather could put plants at risk while in transit or soon after arrival.

Because different plants reach readiness at different rates and are weather-sensitive in varying degree, a single order may be delivered via multiple shipments. Plants sold as part of a collection, or that are otherwise meant to arrive together, will be shipped together. Please contact our customer service team with two weeks' advance notice if you anticipate being away at the expected time of delivery. 

Tracking information for each package is delivered via email. 

Plant & Container Sizes

We deliver plants in various sizes and stages of growth, and the product detail pages of our website indicate the form and/or pot size in which the plant will be delivered. Pot sizes range from 1 pint to 1 gallon and larger. Many perennials, roses, shrubs and vines are delivered bareroot - that is, not in a container at all. Bulbs and tubers are generally delivered bareroot and fully dormant. We choose container sizes and delivery methods based on how each plant grows best, how we can minimize transplant shock, and how to minimize unnecessary bulk/weight in shipment. 

Caring for Your Plants Upon Arrival

It is important to acclimate greenhouse-grown plants to life outdoors. All plant shipments include simple instructions for handling your plants upon arrival. Further how-to information, including planting instructions, is available on each plant's product page.

Until recently plants now classified as Symphyotrichum and Eurybia were classified with Asters. However, even though the horticultural classification has changed for some of the plants we offer, they all share the same growing instructions.

Grow in full sun (or partial shade in the South) in moist but well-drained soil (A. amellus tolerates drought). S. novae-angliae varieties are susceptible to powdery mildew in dry soil. They also require division every year or two to remain vigorous. S. novae-angliae varieties may require staking; if you prefer, you can pinch them back once or twice (by 1/3–1/2) before the end of June (July in the South and the Southwest) to keep them compact. In the South, A. X frikartii 'Monch' may stop blooming by midsummer; shear it back by half, and it will bloom again through the better part of fall.

SHOP ALL ASTERS

At White Flower Farm, we stand firmly behind every product we sell and are proud to offer a money-back guarantee on each and every item offered on our website and at our store in Connecticut. Some modest terms and conditions apply, click here for details.

Should you have any questions about how our guarantee applies to a particular product or circumstance, our customer service team will be happy to help – please contact us at (800) 411-6159 or [email protected].