Asters are an easy to grow perennial that grows well in average soils, but needs full sun. Asters come in blues, purples and a variety of pinks. All Asters are yellow in the center of the flower. They are daisy-like in appearance even though they are a member of the sunflower family. Asters are easily grown from division. Plants do best if divided every two to three years. Simply dig out half to two thirds of the plants, leaving the remainder in place. Then separate the portion you dug out into two sections and plant in another location or give them to a friend.

Asters can also be directly seeded into your flower garden or seeded indoors for transplanting later. We recommend planting Asters in pots and containers indoors, then transplanting the seedlings outdoors in early spring. This allows you to make the proper spacing.

Sow seeds early in the season and cover lightly with soil. Water thoroughly once. They germinate easily and will grow quickly, producing their first of a continual display of blooms by mid-summer.

Transplant Asters into your garden into an area where they can be grown for years. Spacing depends upon size with miniature varieties spaced four to six inches apart, and Giant varieties one to two feet apart. Place smaller varieties around the front of your flower garden as a border. Put larger varieties towards the back of the flowerbed.

Back Home

Ask The Expert

Perennial Asters

Q: I have a couple of giant Asters. I live in Michigan. The plants at this time are about 2 feet tall. They bloom in the late summer. Is it okay to trim them back like I do petunias and mums during the growing season to keep them more full and bushy instead of so tall?
Thank you.
Sandy

A: You may cut back or pinch perennial asters once or twice in the spring to early summer to make them bushier, and thus flower more heavily. The trimming can also delay the bloom time a little bit and also keeps the plants a bit shorter than normal. Typical timing might be when they reach about six inches tall and again at a foot or so.