Asters (Aster spp. / Symphyotrichum spp.)

Sun Needs:

• Full sun preferred (6+ hours of direct sunlight)
• Can tolerate partial shade, especially in hotter climates

Bloom Time:

• Late summer to fall (typically August through October)

Size:

Height: Varies by variety: 1 to 6 feet tall
Width: 1 to 3 feet spread

Attributes:

• Starry, daisy-like flowers in late season
• Attracts pollinators, especially butterflies and bees
• Great for extending color into fall
• Excellent cut flowers
• Tolerates a range of soils; prefers well-drained soil
• Low-maintenance and deer-resistant
• Native varieties support local ecosystems
• Can be divided every few years to prevent overcrowding
• Some varieties may need staking if grown tall

Good Companion Plants:

• Goldenrod (Solidago)
• Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)
• Coneflower (Echinacea)
• Ornamental grasses (e.g., Switchgrass, Little Bluestem)
• Sedum (Autumn Joy)
• Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium)
• Russian Sage (Perovskia)
• Bee Balm (Monarda)
• Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)
• Toad Lily (Tricyrtis)