Aster - planting and care

Plant guide

Aster spreads joy with its flowers well into the autumn, even after a few frosty nights. Aster comes in many beautiful autumn colors and is suitable as a cut flower. Scientific name (Latin): Aster Family: Asteraceae The perennial aster is a staple plant in many gardens, especially from late summer until the frost arrives. Growing tightly in groups, aster resembles a color explosion that attracts butterflies and bees.

Three benefits of having asters in your flower beds:

Beautiful in mixed plantings.

Spreads color and scent well into the autumn.

Available in many varieties and colors.

Aster - the pearl of late summer in the garden

In the aster genus, there are many different species, both annual and perennial. They produce seeds in the fall and return the following year. Even though asters come in several colors, all varieties have a yellow disk in the center.

Sow aster indoors in March and plant outside after the risk of frost is over. Check the seed packet for planting distance and depth.

Care instructions for aster

Location and light requirements

Aster thrives in sun to partial shade and lasts longer in cooler locations. It is preferably planted in pots on the balcony, terrace, or at the entrance. It can also be planted in the flowerbed and will be perennial even though it will grow significantly taller the following year.

Soil

Plant aster in humus-rich and loose soil.

Watering

Allow the soil to dry slightly between regular waterings.

Pruning

Regularly trim off wilted flowers for a really long flowering time.

Nutrition

Also regularly add fertilizer.

Tips: Extend the flowering period by regularly pruning off flowers that have bloomed. This allows room for new buds to bloom. Also, do not forget to add fertilizer regularly.

Aster is nice in mixed plantings

Asters are beautiful in outdoor plantings, preferably in groups. Feel free to mix in other plants in the pots with asters, such as hebe, silver kidney vine, silver sky, or alum root that have beautiful leaves in different colors. It is also nice to put together several pots in a group with one type of plant in each pot, grasses and sedum plants can then go well with asters.

Aster as table decoration

Since the aster is low-growing when purchased in a pot, it fits well in a nice pot as a table decoration. The slightly longer flowers also work well as cut flowers in a vase and will embellish the table for the late summer party.

Dry aster

When the aster bouquet starts to wilt, you can dry it and thus give it eternal life. Hang your bouquet upside down, then you will keep the color in the flower and the stem straight. Wait a few weeks, then you can put your dried bouquet in a vase and it will become a beautiful interior detail.

Asters are traditionally blue flowers, but nowadays they also come in colors like red, pink, purple, and white. There are also multicolored varieties, as well as different variations with unique shapes compared to the classic asters.

Some different types of aster:

Aster 'Pompon' - the flowers have a rounder shape and stand out in the flowerbed.

Aster 'Unicum' - the flowers have a frilly appearance, resembling coral.

Alpine Aster - an aster that thrives on rockeries in nutrient-poor soil.

Fragrant Aster - a perennial that attracts butterflies and is perfect for cutting.

There are also varieties such as balsamaster, autumn aster, and summer aster to choose from. Find your favorite to plant in the flowerbed and enjoy during late summer.

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Plant guide