Aster: varieties, growing and uses

Not every aster is the same plant

Callistephus chinensis is annual China aster; Symphyotrichum novae-angliae and S. novi-belgii are perennial autumn asters. Updated names help buying: China aster seed does not replace perennial clumps. These names avoid presenting random colour mixes as three varieties.

Design for late summer

Put perennial autumn asters behind low vegetable edges where their height does not shade entire beds. Combine late flowers with spent coneflowers or grasses. Leave a reachable path: today's small pot plant later needs support, inspection and perhaps division.

Prevent collapse before flowering

Give tall types a support ring or branched twigs before stems fall together. Let plants grow through supports instead of tightly bunching fallen stems. Check soft ties after weeks; stems must move without rubbing sharp cord.

Compare a season

Record first flowering, mature height and mildew position. Choose next time for your conditions, not just colour. Start with one perennial autumn aster and a small China aster row to observe differences in lifespan, care and flowering time.

Scent, flavour and use

This selection is for ornamental and cut flowers. No claim about edibility or flavour is made.

Care, cutting and harvesting

Most asters like sun and soil that does not dry out completely in summer. Avoid prolonged winter waterlogging. Preferably plant perennial asters in spring and support tall forms early. Check young shoots for slugs and snails and give each plant room for air circulation.

Annual Callistephus benefits from deadheading. On perennial asters, dead top growth may remain until clearing. Divide ageing clumps every few years in March or April; this is division, not hard shrub pruning.

Cut fresh stems for the vase without stripping the whole clump. On perennial asters, leave a few flower heads and stems for winter interest and wildlife. Named perennial selections are preserved more reliably by division than by seed.