October Skies (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'October Skies') - blue flowers, illustrated plant card

October Skies

Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'October Skies'

October Skies blooms from September through October.

Bloom calendar
Bloom time
Sep–Oct
Hardiness
Zones 3–8
Sun
Full sun
Water
Low water
Mature size
1.6 ft × 2.3 ft
Type
Perennial
Verification

Mature size, hardiness zones, sun and the trait tags were checked against named botanical sources for this plant. The bloom months and water need on this page were not.

Growing October Skies

Plant it in full sun. It prefers low water. It is hardy in USDA zones 3–8. Expect it to reach about 1.6 ft tall and 2.3 ft wide at maturity, in roughly 2 years.

When to plant October Skies

Plant October Skies in early spring as soon as the soil is workable, or in early fall at least six weeks before your first frost, so roots establish in cool weather. For the middle of its hardy zones 3 to 8 range, spring means April to June and fall means August or September. Once settled, it blooms from September to October.

Month-by-month timing for your zone is on the planting calendar: for the middle of its range, start with zone 5 in April.

The Aster family

One of 12 in the Aster family. Same plant, same care.

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