Pinch or cut back asters by one-third once or twice in the early summer to promote bushier growth and more blooms.Stake the tall varieties to keep them from falling over.Watch for stress and try a different watering method if your plants lose flowers. They will lose their lower foliage or not flower well. Many asters are sensitive to too much or too little moisture. If less than 1 inch of rain falls per week in summer, water regularly.Add a thin layer of compost (or a portion of balanced fertilizer) with a 2–inch layer of mulch around the plants every spring to encourage vigorous growth.Water well and spread mulch around the plants to keep the soil cool and prevent weeds.Īsters are highly attractive to pollinators, especially bees and butterflies.This cold period will kick-start germination. If planting seeds, sow 1 inch deep in pots or flats and refrigerate them for 4 to 6 weeks to simulate winter dormancy.Fully-grown asters, such as those available in late summer or early fall, should be planted about 3 feet apart.When planting young aster plants outside in the spring, space them 1 to 3 feet apart, depending on the type and how large it’s expected to get.If desired, plant seeds in the fall or start them indoors in the winter. Asters can be grown from seed, but germination can be uneven.Or, you can plant mature, potted asters when they become available at garden centers (typically in the late summer or early fall).The best time to put young aster plants in the ground is in mid- to late spring after the danger of frost has passed. ( See local frost dates. Mix 2 to 3 inches of compost into the soil before planting. In warmer climates, asters do not like the hot midday sun. Soil should be moist but well-drained and loamy. Wet clay soil will lead to root rot, and dry sandy soil will lead to plant wilt. As well as being a valuable pollinator plant for bees and butterflies, its tasty seed heads are sought by cardinals, chickadees, finches, nuthatches, and many other seed eaters.Īsters prefer areas with cool, moist summers and cool nights, in sites with full to partial sun. Learn more about recommended varieties further down this page.Īster is versatile: Depending on the height, it’s suitable for borders, rock gardens, or wildflower gardens. Aster now covers most European and Asian asters, while those native to North America now belong to Symphyotrichum.Ī number of hybrid varieties are available in showy colors, yet “wild type” species native to your region are generally a wise choice for the ecologically-minded gardener, despite them not being quite as flashy as the cultivated varieties in some cases. Several years ago, the Aster genus was split into multiple genera. Growing 1 to 6 feet tall, depending on variety, these upright flowering plants bear cheerful star-shaped flower heads ranging in color from purple to white to blue.Įven though there are more than 600 aster species, the two most commonly encountered asters in home gardening are the New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) and the New York aster (S. About AstersĬold-hardy perennials with daisy-like flowers, asters are the pollinator stars of the garden from late summer through fall. Asters enliven the garden in late summer and early fall when many flower blooms are fading-providing a late-season treat for the Monarch, too! Plant these deer-resistant native perennials in midspring to keep the color going.
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