How to Grow and Care for Asters

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Garden asters form compact mounds of colorful blossoms—shades of blue, red, pink, lavender, or purple with bright yellow centers. Aster will brighten garden beds and borders and they are well-suited for container gardens. There are more than 600 species of asters; most are a foot or two tall but some grow to 6 feet tall and are widely branched.

Aster refers to two distinct genera of plants both of which are members of the Daisy family. Aster is the botanic name of true, hardy asters also called Starworts or Michaelmas Daisies many of which are native to the temperate zone of the United States. Secondly, Aster is the popular name of the tender, so-called China Asters, natives of China and Japan; these are among the most popular garden annuals. (The botanical name for China aster is Callistephus chinensis.)

Hardy asters are usually characterized by leafy stems and opposite, often spear-shaped leaves ranging from 1 to 4 inches in length. The small flowers are daisy-like with yellow or orange centers and fine, often thickly growing petals.

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The colors range from deep purple to lavender, blue, pink, rose, and white. Most varieties bloom in late summer and fall when many other plants have finished blooming. This late blooming and variation in height from 6 inches to 6 feet make them suitable for many purposes in the garden.

Most aster cultivars like full sun. Many of them enjoy a moist situation though they do like their roots to sit in water. They usually accept average garden conditions with open exposure. Good average garden soil is best–not overly rich soil.

In the flower border, the taller varieties may be used as background flowers with smaller ones in front of them arranged according to their respective heights. Dwarf cultivars make ideal rock-garden plants.

Asters are easily raised from seed, usually blooming the next year after spring sowing.

Alpine aster, Aster alpinus — Alpine aster, *Aster alpinus*

Table of Contents

Get to know Asters

Plant type: Perennial
Growing Zones and range: Zones 4 to 9
Hardiness: Asters grow well where fall is cool and moist; hardy in cold and hot weather.
Height and width: 12 to 60 inches (30-152cm) tall; 12 to 36 inches (30-91cm) wide depending on the variety.
Form: Plants form clumps of narrow leaves and send up branching spikes of daisy flowers; smaller hybrids form almost solid mounds of color
Flower form: Ray-shaped flowers in many colors; flowers 1½ to 2 inches across
Flower colors: Blue, violet, crimson, pink, white
Uses: Perennial border
Garden companions: Combine with other late-summer and fall perennials such as phlox, coneflower, sunflowers, Japanese anemone, and ornamental grasses.
Bloom time: Mid-summer through fall.
Common name: Michaelmas daisy, Frikart’s aster, New England aster
Botanical name: Aster spp.
Family: Asteraceae

New England asters, Aster novae-angliae — New England asters, *Aster novae-angliae*

Where to plant Asters

Asters grow best in full sun but will tolerate light shade.
Grow asters in rich, well-drained but moist soil.
Asters prefer a soil pH of 5.5 to 7.

Aster uses and companions

Use Asters in borders, as a ground cover, beneath shrubs as edging in mixed borders.
Good Aster companions are Anthemis tinctoria, Boltonia asteroides, Cimicifuga, Herocallis, Sedum ‘Autumn Joy‘, Solidago.

When to plant Asters

Set out established plants in spring or fall.
Start seeds indoors in spring.
Sow seeds outdoors in early summer when temperatures are 70°F (21°C)
Set plants outdoors from spring through fall.

Bluewood aster, Aster cordifolius — Bluewood aster, *Aster cordifolius*

Planting and spacing Asters

Start seed indoors in six-packs or pots; sow seed 1/8 inch deep; keep seed at 65°-75°F (18°-24°C). Keep seedlings in bright sunlight or directly below fluorescent light.
Sow seed outdoors at about 70°F (21°C) and about 1/8 inch deep. When grown from seed, most types will bloom the following year.
Thin seedlings when they are 2 inches (5cm) tall and transplanted to garden when they are 4 inches (10cm) tall.
Plants can be set in the garden any time from spring to fall.
Space asters 6 to 36 inches (15-91cm)t apart depending on the variety.

How to water and feed Asters

Feed asters lightly if at all. Use an all-purpose fertilizer to side-dress established plants.
Keep the soil evenly moist but not wet during the growing season.
Avoid overhead watering which can spread fungal disease or plant disease-resistant cultivars.

New York aster, Aster novi-belgi — New York aster, *Aster novi-belgi* (*Symphyotrichum novi-belgii*)

Asters care

Pinch taller varieties back by half in early summer to prevent flopping.
Stake tall rangy plants as needed.
Stake asters in Zone 4 and colder; they will be less compact but they will bloom before cold weather arrives.
After cutting the plant back in autumn, heap dry leaves or straw mulch over the plant during winter.
Mulch with aged compost or chopped leaves to conserve soil moisture.
Trim back the tops when they turn brown.
Protect asters in winter by mulching with chopped leaves.

Aster propagation

Take stems cutting in spring.
Divide asters in early spring or fall. Divide large clumps in half or thirds when growth begins in early spring; divisions should bloom the same year.
New plants often grow from self-sown seeds.

Aster pests and diseases

Plant asters in a well-drained location to deter root rot.
Powdery mildew can turn leaves dull gray; space plants to promote air circulation; spray with sulfur.

Long-blooming Frikart's aster — Long-blooming Frikart’s aster, *Aster Amellus*.

Aster varieties to grow

Aster alpinus. Dwarf, easy-to-grow, perennial, compact mounds with white, pink, and blue daisy-like flowers and gold centers.
A. amellus. Italian aster, hardy, 2-foot-tall perennial, large violet flowers.
A. x frikartii, Frikart’s aster, long-blooming perennial with purple flowers, easy to grow; hardy to -20°F (-29°C).
A. cordifolius. Bluewood aster grows to 6 feet tall, tiny blue flowers in large loose bunches.
A. ericoides. Heath aster, very hardy, white, blue, violet, or pink sprays of flowers; hardy to -40°F (-40°C).
A. novae-angliae. New England aster, usually deep purple, very hardy, grows to 6 feet tall, many cultivars of this variety, with pink, white, rose, red, purple, or violet clusters; hardy to -30°F (-34°C).
A. novi-belgii. (Symphyotrichum novi-belgii) New York aster, hardy in Zones 4-8.
A. tanacetifolius (now Machaeranthera tanacetifolia). Tahoka daisy, annual with blue flowers, grows to 18 inches.
A. tongolensis. ‘Bergarten’ is a cultivar; mat-forming rock garden perennial, blue-lilac flowers with orange centers.

Aster novi-belgii x novae-angliae — Michaelmas Daisy, Fall Aster

Fall-blooming Michaelmas daisies or fall asters are hybrids of New England and New York asters and several other species. The plant produces billowy masses of tiny, yellow-centered lavender, purple, blue, pink, or white blossoms. Blooms appear for a month or two in late summer and fall, beginning between mid-August and mid-September depending on the cultivar. The small, linear leaves covering the upright stems are fine-textured.

Size: Height varies by cultivar, from 8-inch spreading dwarfs to 4- to 5-foot-tall types.
Light: Full sun best; tolerates part or light shade.
Soil and moisture: Fertile, well-drained, moist soil; plentiful moisture.
Planting and propagation: Plant container-grown plants in spring or fall, spacing 1 ½ to 3 feet apart. Divide by removing and replanting exterior portions of clumps every two years in spring to keep vigorous.
Special care: Pinch tall types when 6 inches tall and again in early summer to encourage compactness and flowering. Stake tall and medium-tall types. Winter-mulch in Zones 3-5. Spray for mildew.
Pest and diseases: Mildew and rust are often troublesome, avoid wetting foliage, but do not let dry out. Water with drip or soaker hose. Choose disease-resistant cultivars.
Climate: Zones 4-8; best where cool and moist.
Cultivars and similar species: Dozens of cultivars; tall ones often incorrectly called New England asters and short ones called New York asters ‘Alma Postchake,’ magenta pink, 3 ½ feet tall, mildew resistant; ‘Mt Everest,’ white 3 feet tall; ‘Harrington’s Pink’, clear pink, 3 to 5 feet tall, late-blooming; ‘Treasurer,’ violet-blue, 4 feet tall; ‘Eventide,’ semidouble, purple, 3 feet tall; ‘September Ruby,’ cerise, disease resistant. 3 ½ feet tall; ‘Professor Kippenburg,’ lavender-blue, 1 foot tall; ‘Marie Ballard,’ powder blue, 4 feet tall; ‘Hella Lacy,’ large violet-blue, 4 to 5 feet tall; ‘Purple Dome,’ purple, mildew resistant, 1 ½ feet tall.
Garden use: Excellent late-summer and fall color in the back of borders or in meadows. Fine texture combines with other fall bloomers. Good cut flower.

Aster x frikartii — Frikart’s aster

Frikart’s aster is a cross between an Italian and a Himalayan species. This perennial has been popular in England for many years. Lavender-blue with yellow centers, the 3-inch-diameter daisies begin blooming in July and continue into October. Plants have a delicate, airy look and are not marred by mildew as are other asters.

Size: 3 feet tall and wide.
Light: Full sun.
Soil and moisture: Well-drained, moist, fertile soil, plentiful, even moisture.
Planting and propagation: Plant container-grown plants in spring, spacing 3 feet apart. Divide every three or four years.
Special care: Winter-mulch in colder zones. Fertilize sparingly.
Pest and diseases: May rot over winter if the soil remains wet.
Climate: Zone 5-8.
Cultivars: Almost indistinguishable are ‘Monch’, lavender-blue blossoms, sturdy plant; ‘Wonder of Staffa’, is lighter lavender-blue, prone to flopping.
Garden use: Excellent combined with yellow flowers in beds and borders.

Asters frequently asked questions

Q: What is the best way to grow asters?

A: Grow asters in full sun. Prepare the seedbed by forking over the soil and working in aged compost or organic commercial planting mix. Sow seeds 2 to 3 inches apart and one-quarter inch deep. Sow seeds in mid-spring after the last frost. Keep the seedlings well watered and transplant them to their final location after they have formed true leaves. Keep the soil just moist.

Q: Can I start asters indoors?

A: Yes. Start aster seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost. It’s best to stratify seeds in order to promote germination. Do this by planting seeds in moistened medium, cover with plastic wrap to retain moisture, and refrigerating them for two weeks. After removing them from the refrigerator, set them in a sunny place to germinate. They can be transplanted when they have three or four true leaves.

Q: Do you have tips for transplanting asters into the garden?

A: Asters can be transplanted to the garden after the last frost when they have three or four true leaves. Set the seedlings in the soil so that the bottom leaves are resting on the surface. Water well and apply mulch. When flowers appear, feed the plants with liquid fertilizer weekly.

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