Perennial Aster Plants

Alpine Aster

• Alpine aster flowers are perennial flowers that are hardy flowers and grow between 3 and 10 inches tall. They come in purple, pink or white and are a good choice for mountain or rock gardens because of their durability. Plant in the spring; they bloom in early- or mid-summer. Alpine asters thrive in sunny areas that get at least six hours of sun each day. Keep the soil moist during the growing season. Alpine asters require little maintenance and can tolerate heat and humidity. In addition to the flowers, they produce green foliage.

New England Asters

• New England asters are hardy perennials that are native to the northeastern U.S. The petals are typically lilac or purple and have yellow or orange centers with hairy stems. They typically grow between 2 and 6 feet tall and bloom between August and October. New England asters are not the easiest plant to grow; most people see a 40 percent success rate when growing these plants. Plant them in full sun and keep the soil moist. They do well in low-lying areas and when planted in masses. The leaves give off a turpentine scent when crushed.

New York Aster

• New York asters are perennial plants that are short and produce violet and blue petals. Grow them in clumps in full sun to partial shade, and keep the soil's moisture level medium. They typically bloom in late summer or fall, and they attract butterflies. The most common problem you may encounter when growing New York asters is a fungal disease, such as botrytis, mildew or wilting. You can also grow this flower in groups on steep slopes to help combat erosion.