Planting
Where to Plant Asters
Asters prefer areas with cool, moist summers and cool nights in sites with full to partial sun. In warmer climates, asters do not like the hot midday sun. Soil should be moist but well-draining and loamy. Wet clay soil will lead to root rot, and dry sandy soil will lead to plant wilt. Mix 2 to 3 inches of compost into the soil before planting.
When to Plant Asters
- 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.)
- Or you can plant mature, potted asters when available at garden centers (typically in the late summer or early fall).
- Asters can be grown from seed, but germination can be uneven. If desired, plant seeds in the fall or start them indoors in the winter.
How to Plant Asters
- When planting young aster plants outside in the spring, space them 1 to 3 feet apart, depending on the type and how large they’re expected to get.
- Fully grown asters, such as those available in late summer or early fall, should be planted about 3 feet apart.
- If planting seeds, sow 1 inch deep in pots or flats and refrigerate them for 4 to 6 weeks to simulate winter dormancy. This cold period will kick-start germination.
- Water well, and spread mulch around the plants to keep the soil cool and prevent weeds.
Types
Even though there are more than 600 aster species, the most common asters available in North America are the New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) and the New York aster (S. novi-belgii). Both of these plants are native to North America and are great flowers for pollinators. We recommend planting a native species of aster over a non-native species when possible, so talk with your local Cooperative Extension or garden center about which species are best suited to your area. Look for varieties with disease resistance.
North American Asters
- Aromatic aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium): Multi-branched at the base, stiff upright stems, with lavender or pink flowers.
- Blue wood aster (S. cordifolium): Bushy with small, blue-to-white flowers.
- Heath aster (S. ericoides): A low-growing ground cover (similar to creeping phlox) with small, white flowers.
- New England asters (S. novae-angliae): Varieties have a range of flower colors, from magenta to deep purple. They typically grow larger than New York asters, though some varieties are smaller.
- New York asters (S. novi-belgii): There are many varieties of New York asters available. Their flowers range from bright pink to bluish-purple and can be double, semi-double, or single.
- Smooth aster (S. laeve): A tall, upright aster with small, lavender flowers.
European/Eurasian Asters
- Frikart’s aster (Aster x frikartii) ‘Mönch’: Hailing from Switzerland, this mid-sized aster has large, lilac-blue flowers.
- Rhone aster (A. sedifolius) ‘Nanus’: This aster is known for its small, star-shaped, lilac-blue flowers and compact growth.
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Comments
We've never grown asters inside. We'd suggest you grow asters in a pot on your patio and bring then inside and sit on a sunny window once they bloom.
Rabbits do like to eat asters. If you are lucky you may have a second bloom from your plants if you can keep the rabbits away. Check our rabbit page for suggestions.
http://www.almanac.com/content/rabbits
Hi, Sheila, This is a tough one because these are pretty forgiving plants. They perform best—bloom best—in full sun but tolerate part shade. (Perhaps only a little "part shade.") The do not like to sit in water, so well draining soil is important, and good quality—loamy or composted—soil helps. And add a shovelful of compost at the base in spring.
That's all we can say. The plant may have needed time to become established. Check these steps and see how it goes next year. (Yea, it is a long way off but never give up!)
You can deadhead the blooms to encourage the plant to bloom again. If you keep up with removing the spent flowers before they set seed (remove the flower and stalk back to the next branch, leaf, or bud), the plant should continue to bloom until the end of the growing season.
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If the plants foliage looks nice with no signs of insects or yellowing keep the plants moist and do not fertilize. Add some mulch around the plant to keep the soil cool and moist. Hopefully the cooler weather will produce some flowers for you.