Blue Asters: 15 Different Types of Blue Aster Varieties

Blue asters can make for a delightful addition to any garden. Their beautiful blue blooms range from light blue to deeper, vibrant dark purple-like blues. Asters are a great way to keep color in your garden late into the season, generally blooming from late summer to early fall.

These flowers are also a fantastic choice for pollinators. Many feature daisy-like centers full of nectar for butterflies, bees, and beetles to enjoy. While they attract friends to the garden, they don’t usually attract too many pests.

There are many varieties of aster, but even blue asters have plenty of different varieties as a subset of the larger aster family. So which one should you pick? How do you know which types of blue asters are the perfect fit for the color scheme in your garden? We’ve put together a comprehensive list of some of the most popular blue aster varieties, so you can pick one that best fits your garden goals. Let’s jump in!

Alpine

Scientific Name: Aster alpinus

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Geographic Origin: Europe, Asia
• Plant Size: 0.25 to 1 feet
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun
• Plant Zone: 4 – 7, with a possibility of surviving 3

Alpine is a delightful blue type of aster that originally thrived in the European Alps. Although they aren’t native to America, they’re a friendly plant that poses no threat to native species. The Alpine aster is also a great pick to attract friendly pollinators like bees and butterflies.

This flower is shaped similarly to a daisy. There are some common varieties, like Beechwood for something lighter in color or Dark Beauty for a deeper purple-blue.

Blue Bayou

Scientific Name: Symphyotrichum novi-belgii ‘Blue Bayou’

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Geographic Origin: The Netherlands bred garden hybrid
• Plant Size: 1 to 6 feet
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun or Partial Shade
• Plant Zone: 3-8

Blue Bayou asters are a variety of native New York asters. These hybrid asters deserve some recognition as a beautiful showman flower breed. They have dense flowers in a deep and vibrant color.

These asters can grow to quite different sizes depending on the soil. Shorter plants will come from free-draining sandy soil, and taller plants will grow in richer soils.

Blue Bayou asters are a great pick if you’re looking for a blue aster variety that is deer resistant. These asters are also rabbit resistant and can tolerate some droughts.

Blue Wood

Scientific Name: Symphyotrichum cordifolium

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Geographic Origin: Eastern and Central North America
• Plant Size: 2 to 5 feet
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun or Partial Sun
• Plant Zone: 3-8

Blue Wood asters, also known as Heart-Leaf aster, are a great low-maintenance plant. This type of blue aster has a relatively pale flower that blends well with other garden plants. The flowers bloom in clusters and can grow quite large.

These plants don’t require much water, and they’re fairly resistant to most pests and diseases. However, their hardiness can lead to them easily spreading, as they self-seed at the end of the summer. Cut them down at the end of their bloom to help avoid this.

Bluebird

Scientific Name: Symphyotrichum laeve ‘Bluebird’

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Geographic Origin: American bred garden hybrid
• Plant Size: 3 to 4 feet
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun
• Plant Zone: 4-8

Bluebird aster is an award-winning variety of smooth aster. These lovely light blue asters are American bred. Pinching the buds will help grow a fuller, more bush-like plant.

Bluebird is another type of blue aster that is considered deer-resistant and tolerant of low-water conditions. They’re also great at attracting birds.

These asters provide some color late in the season, from July to September. They’re easy to plant in large groups and can fill an area easily with beautiful blooms.

Bonny Blue

Scientific Name: Symphyotrichum novi-belgii ‘Bonny Blue’

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Geographic Origin: United States
• Plant Size: 1 to 1.5 feet
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun
• Plant Zone: 3-8

Bonny Blue is a type of blue aster that can survive in a wide array of areas. These asters can even handle areas with high moisture or plenty of rain. Not to mention, they can endure near the sea planting.

These asters can be propagated by dividing the rootball and can handle transplanting. If preferred, they can also grow in pots.

Bonny Blue’s are a great flower to cut for display and holds its color and shape well. The baby blue petals and crisp orange centers make great added contrast in any display.

Color Carpet

Scientific Name: Callistephus dwarf ‘Color Carpet’

• Plant Type: Annual
• Geographic Origin: China, Korea
• Plant Size: 8 inches
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun
• Plant Zone: 3-9

Color Carpet asters are an annual variety of aster in many colors, including blue. True to their name, these are very short and dense flowers that spread across the ground in a colorful display.

These asters are best suited to areas with plenty of sunlight. They have average watering needs and, similar to other asters, will bloom from late summer to early fall.

These are a wonderful choice for being planted in potted displays. Color Carpet aster has a vibrant and lush appearance that can fill out containers without being overwhelming to maintain.

Frikart’s Aster

Scientific Name: Aster x frikartii ‘Mönch’

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Geographic Origin: Swiss bred garden hybrid
• Plant Size: 1 to 2 feet
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun
• Plant Zone: 5

Named accordingly, Carl Ludwig Frikart is to thank for this type of blue aster. He was a Swiss botanist who first created the hybrid in the early 1900s. This hardy flower is resistant to rabbits and drought!

Frikart’s asters don’t require much water and are considered low-maintenance plants. They’ll add some color to your garden, and they’re another great pick to attract butterflies.

With a star-like flowering formation, these simple asters are still sure to impress. They grow tall and fast and fill out a decent space. Their bright blooms stick around through the late summer and into September.

Lady in Blue

Scientific Name: Aster novi-belgii ‘Lady in Blue’

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Geographic Origin: American bred garden hybrid
• Plant Size: 10-12 inches
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun
• Plant Zone: 3-9

Lady in Blue aster offers a more lavender-like blue surrounding a yellow, daisy-like center. These plants are friendly to grow with goldenrod, which would create a lovely contrast in any garden.

These asters are shorter and grow in flower-dense clusters. Lady in Blue grows the best in rich, saturated soil. However, the soil should drain well to avoid mildew issues. It can also hold up in poor soil conditions.

Similar to other types of blue aster, Lady in Blue attracts plenty of pollinators. It can also self-pollinate and seeds itself quickly at the end of the season.

Marie Ballard

Scientific Name: Symphyotrichum novi-belgii ‘Marie Ballard’

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Geographic Origin: American bred garden hybrid
• Plant Size: 2-3 feet
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun or Partial Shade
• Plant Zone: 4-9

Ernest Ballard created Marie Ballard asters as a final stroke to create a bright, colorful flower. These are dense types of blue aster that are double-petaled to pack a punch.

Marie Ballard is another variety that is well-suited for container planting. It does prefer well-draining soil and can handle the occasional drought.

These flowers begin their bloom around August and can continue up to the first frost. Their vibrant lavender and blue petals may lighten over time if they endure into the winter but still offer some helpful cheer late into the season.

New York Aster

Scientific Name: Symphyotrichum novi-belgii

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Geographic Origin: East Canada to North East USA
• Plant Size: 3-5 feet
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun or Partial Shade
• Plant Zone: 4-8

The New York aster is the parent to some of the other types of blue aster in this list, such as Blue Bayou, Bonny Blue, Lady in Blue, and Marie Ballard. This single aster plant has paved the way for so many beloved varieties today.

The original flower still has its place as a light blue variety with thinner petals. New York asters are found naturally in marshlands and even appear near salty shores. They’re tolerable of soil that is of poor quality.

October Skies

Scientific Name: Symphyotrichum oblongifolium ‘October Skies’

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Geographic Origin: Eastern and Central USA
• Plant Size: 1-2 feet
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun
• Plant Zone: 4-8

October Skies are a lovely type of blue aster with a petal that gradually goes from a white near the center to a dusk blue. The bush-like plants have plenty of nectar to attract butterflies.

These are also known as Aromatic asters, and they offer a strong fragrance when crushing the leaves or stem.

October Skies should be in well-draining soil as the only disease it is susceptible to is powdery mildew. This plant is resistant to deer and rabbit pests trying to get a nibble.

Peony Duchess Blue

Scientific Name: Callistephus Chinensis ‘Peony Duchess’

• Plant Type: Annual
• Geographic Origin: China
• Plant Size: Up to 28 inches
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun
• Plant Zone: 3-9

Peony Duchess Blue is a lush variety of aster that appears closer to chrysanthemums in appearance. These flowers are a great cornflower blue with plenty of petals to show them off.

Peony Duchess Blue is one of the few annual varieties of aster, which makes it a well-suited pick for container planting. It prefers well-drained soil but can handle droughts. These flowers are also heat resistant.

This showy aster is an unbeatable beauty and sure to be a unique addition to any garden. They’re a fragrant variety that holds up great for floral arrangements.

Raydon’s Favorite

Scientific Name: Symphyotrichum oblongifolium ‘Raydon’s Favorite’

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Geographic Origin: North East and Central USA
• Plant Size: 2-3 feet
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun
• Plant Zone: 3-8

Raydon’s Favorite aster is a taller variety that grows in fragrant, dense, bush-like formations. The thinner flowers are a calming light blue that is sure to fill out any garden.

This type of blue aster is exceptionally versatile, as it can handle most soil conditions, including clay, sand, loam, rocky, and dry soil. They require relatively low water and are drought tolerant. Raydon’s Favorite can also handle being planted near salty conditions.

These plants will self-seed if they’re in good condition at the end of the season. If self-seeding is undesired, cut these down at their final bloom around the first frost.

Sky Blue

Scientific Name: Symphyotrichum oolentangiense

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Geographic Origin: Eastern North America
• Plant Size: 1-3 feet
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun or Partial Shade
• Plant Zone: 3-8

Sky Blue asters are true to their name and feature a light blue petal that is sure to remind you of the sky on clear, sunny days. These asters branch out into clusters of flowers.

These native wildflowers are a superb option for pollinators while resistant to deer and rabbits. They can grow in varied locations, from meadows to prairies, and don’t usually have any diseases in well-draining soil.

Keep the clear sky for yourself late into the season by planting these Sky Blue asters, sure to be blooming into the fall.

Smooth Blue

Scientific Name: Symphyotrichum laeve

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Geographic Origin: Eastern and Central North America
• Plant Size: 1-3 feet
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun or Partial Shade
• Plant Zone: 3-8

Smooth Blue asters are a type of blue aster that are daisy-like in appearance and have pale, lavender-blue petals. Their name comes from their foliage, which is dark green and smooth to the touch.

Their native status makes them a great addition to your garden while also looking natural in other landscapes. They bloom into late fall and can even endure some early frosts into November.

Smooth Blue asters are another excellent choice for butterflies, and in particular, they provide habitat to Pearl Crescent butterflies. They don’t have any concerning pest or disease issues to look out for and are relatively easy flowers to grow.