Aster Flowers
While the taller perennial asters tend to be fall blooming plants, and suitable for the main perennial border, the smaller asters are perfect for the rock garden or small balcony container garden.
Asters grow in the full sun or very light shade. The more shade you give them, the fewer blooms they will produce and the lankier they will behave (tall and spindly).
The specific details are below but generally, they are very easy to grow if you give them excellent drainage. Clay soils or excessive moisture will rot out the roots over the winter so you really can't plant them in these situations.
A very fertile soil will cause them to grow a little leggy or produce soft foliage (that is susceptible to insects and disease) so growing on average to poor soils is best for the shorter versions.
Aster dumosus 'Neftcehen'
Water
They grow best with adequate water although they'll survive through most drought and bounce back the following year. The North American species are hardy plants and survive nicely in dry or pasture soils.
Aster laevis 'Bluebird'
Propagation
While they can be done from seed, it is best in the home garden to do them from cuttigs or divisions first thing in the spring. Note hybrids don't come true from seed so growing them from cuttings and division is essential
Aster 'Rudelsburg'
Hardiness
You're going to find these plants surviving into USDA zone 3 for the most part. There are a few more tender species so do check before you plant.
Growing Tip
The best growing tip and one I use regularly with this plant is - in the spring when it starts to grow, wait until it gets to 12 to 18-inches tall. Then cut it down by 30%. This shearing - cut all branches down to an equal height - forces the plant to produce a great many side shoots and these too will produce flowers. In this way, you get a wide, flower-filled plant instead of a stretched out one.
Aster 'Coombes Fishacre'
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