Aster is a large genus of 250 species of annuals, biennials, perennials, and subshrubs from many different habitats, mainly in North America. The flowers resemble small daisies with yellow disk florets and white, pink, blue, or purple ray florets. The leaves are generally alternate, simple, and lance-shaped. There is an Aster for almost any type of garden, including borders, rock gardens, waterside plantings, dry areas, and wildflower gardens.
Care for your Asters with some basic rules of thumb, and be rewarded with spectacular blossoms in various colors. Planting these wonderful stars (Aster is Greek for star) will uplift and brighten your fall garden. Ranging from 8 inches (20 cm) to almost 8 feet (2.4 m) tall, these flowers make good border plants, but be careful of mildew diseases that attack them.
Growing Conditions and General Care
Divide mature plants in spring, just as the new shoots begin to grow. This should be done every few years to avoid the crowding of plants.
As with many other flowering plants, deadhead (cut back spent flowers) to make room for newer blossoms will extend the health and flowering of your plants. Be sure to deadhead early on in the blooming season. Blooming will be reduced if done too late. This will also restrain unwanted reseeding, which will cause plant overcrowding.

Remember, Asters are prone to mildew, so be careful to plant them in areas with good circulation and good sun exposure.
As with other flowering plants, do not allow water to saturate leaves. Be sure to water the plant's roots to prevent mildew and mold. Drip irrigation and the utilization of a soaker hose work very well in watering these plants.
Propagating
Asters can be grown indoors or sown into the garden directly (providing the danger of frost is well past). Plant them in early spring, preparing gardens with a tiller to loosen the soil. Sow the seeds approximately 1 foot (30 cm) deep into a mixture of compost and garden soil. Germination usually occurs after approximately one month.
Plant in well-drained, moist soil in either partial shade or morning sun. Some varieties can be planted in full sun, but this varies, so check planting instructions. Compost, peat moss, or mulch will retain moisture, control weeds, and ensure plants have sufficient nutrients.
Your hole for transplanting asters should be twice as wide and deep as the plant's container. Plant the crown of the Aster even with the ground level. Plant thin plants at least 18 inches (45 cm) apart to avoid overcrowding.
Strategies
In addition to accenting rock gardens, grow your Asters in succession to have an ongoing blooming season. Planting Asters will also deter some insects in your garden. Plant them throughout your garden to limit pesticide use.
Asters attract butterflies, which will enhance the beauty of your garden.
Unlike marigolds and similar plants, Aster seedlings are unlike the parent plant and may not be desirable to reproduce. Therefore, remove the flower stems before they set the seed to prevent this cycle from occurring.
Water Asters as directed, but remember that they are considered a "drought-tolerant" plant and do not like standing water.
Source: doityourself.com
Links
- Back to genus Aster
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin