Plant Description:
Fall Aster is native to the Eastern and Central U.S., especially Missouri. It is a deciduous perennial with fragrant purple daisy-like flowers and yellow centers. It can reach a height of 1-3 feet tall and spreads by stolons. It is the last plant to bloom before freezing temperatures begin, September through November. Its flowers and stems release a balsam-like fragrance when crushed. Fall Aster is used as a ground cover for dry, sunny areas and grows well with native grasses. Tea can be made from the roots of this plant to help reduce fever.

Propagation & Planting:
Seeds can be collected in the late fall, dried in a paper bag for a couple of weeks, and planted thickly after the last frost. Seedlings must be thinned after sprouting to allow space for the plant to grow. Softwood cuttings can be taken in the late spring and rooted. The plant can also be divided in the fall.

Basic Care Instructions:
New Asters should be planted in the spring in full sun. They should be spaced 1-3 apart. Aster plants may also be grown in large containers. This wildflower prefers rocky limestone or shale. The soil should be slightly acidic. It tolerates moist soil, but good drainage is essential to prevent fungal disease. Pinch flowers back in early summer to encourage more blooms. The plant can grow in sandy soil or clay but should not be allowed to dry out or become water-logged. The plant is cold-hardy in Zones 4-7.

Fertilizing Instructions:
If a thin layer of compost and about two inches of mulch are added to the soil in spring, new growth will emerge quicker.

Pruning Instructions:
Asters should be pinched back by one half in June to prevent top-heaviness and cause the plant to produce more flowers.

Pests & Disease:
Wild turkey and birds can eat the seeds and leaves of this plant, but the biggest potential problems are leaf spots or rust from excessive moisture. If too wet, Asters develop fungal stem rot.

To learn more about Fall Asters, read the complete plant profile on PlantTAGG by clicking here: https://planttagg.com/fall-aster/