September 3, 2025

A member of the Aster family (Asteraceae), Aromatic Asters (Aster oblongifolius) are just beginning to open up their first blooms, and will often bloom until the first frost. They’re native to parts of the eastern and central United States.

They provide needed nectar and pollen as autumn begins to shut down many of those sources. These are composite flowers, growing to 1 to 1.25 inches across. The flowers are made up of 20 to 35 purple ray florets that encircle 30 to 50 disk florets of yellow or amber, maturing to reddish purple.

The name “aromatic” makes me think that the flowers have a scent, but that scent is hidden. They or the foliage must be crushed to enjoy the camphorous scent.

These flowers and other purple asters that bloom in autumn make me appreciate purple as an autumnal color, along with the warm oranges, reds and yellows.

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