Plant this stellar perennial in your landscape for fantastic fall blooms.
Asters are excellent for cutting gardens.
They can also beplanted in containers.
Credit: Denny Schrock
Dig a hole twice the diameter of the nursery pot.
Add compost to the soil to improve drainage.
Backfill with soil andcompost, and press down to remove air bubbles.
Credit:Kritsada Panichgul
Pinch back the tips of young plants to encourage bushiness.
If your region receives less than 1 inch of rain a week, water the asters regularly.
Aster Care Tips
Asters are easy to grow when their basic needs are met.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Most asters should begrown in full sunto prevent flopping, especially in shady or windy locations.
Woodland species tolerate shade but need morning sun to produce the prettiest flowers.
Soil and Water
This plant prefers moist, well-drained soil; overly wet soil leads to rot.
Credit: Janet Mesic-Mackie
Some asters requirenutrient-rich soil; others need lean soillacking organic material.
Try a different watering method or schedule.
Temperature and Humidity
Asters prefer cool temperatures for day and night and are frost-hardy.
Credit: Janet Mesic-Mackie
Gardeners who live in hot areas should plant in an area that receives some shade.
Asters have no special preferences regarding humidity levels.
Fertilizer
Asters are moderate feeders, and excessive fertilizer shortens the bloom period.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Stop fertilizing the plants in August.
If you leave the flowers on the plants, asters will self-seeder.
In the spring, remove any damaged foliage or stems.
Credit: Jay Wilde
In midsummer, cut the stems back by half to encourage more blossoms in fall.
Water them regularly, as container plants dry out much faster than plants in garden soil.
Potted asters that are winter-hardy in your zone dont need to be overwintered.
Credit: Kim Cornelison
However, to protect their roots from the cold.
Check them occasionally to see if the soil is dry; it should remain a little moist all winter.
Pests and Problems
Watch forpowdery mildewandrust diseaseson the leaves of asters.
Credit: Greg Ryan
How to Propagate Aster
Cuttings and divisions are the easiest ways to propagate asters.
The plants will self-sow, but since many asters are cultivars.
the resulting seedlings wont always resemble the parent.
Credit: Bill Holt
Division:Divide clumps of astersevery few years in spring as soon as new growth appears.
Replant the divisions immediately and water them.
Cuttings:In spring, take 4-inchcuttings from the plants stem tips.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Remove the leaves from the bottom half of each cutting and dip them in therooting hormone.
Put each cutting into a small pot filled with loose potting soil.
Cover each pot with a clear plastic bag with air holes punched in it.
Credit: Jo-Ann Richards
When you see any new growth, remove the plastic bag.
Asters have undergone a botanical reclassification after botanists studied the plants morphology and DNA.
Zones 5-8
Triumph Aster
SymphyotrichumxalpellusTriumph is a petite summer-blooming hybrid reaching only 1 foot in height.
Its compact form is ideal for the front of the border or container gardens.
Cut it back in early summer to promote a sturdier branched plant that requires no staking.
It shows off well against most flowers and provides an elegant look to flower borders.
The aromatic leaves are oblong and deeply cut along the edges.
Foot-long panicles of flowers bloom for many weeks.
Excellent drainage and full sun are ideal, although very light shade is tolerated.
Plant close to avoid staking since the tall plants tend to flop.
Zone 4-9
Sedum
Sedumsare nearly perfect plants.
Many are attractive even in winter when their foliage dies and is left standing.
Theyre also drought-tolerant and need little care.
Theyrefavorites of butterflies and useful bees.
The tall types are outstanding for cutting and drying.
There are many varieties, from tall types that top 2 feet to low-growing groundcovers that form mats.
All thrive in full sun with good drainage.
Groundcover types do a good job of suppressing weeds but seldom tolerate foot traffic.
Asters attract lots of late-season pollinators, including bees and butterflies.
In the winter, they provide food and shelter for small animals and birds.
Deer leave them alone.
