How to Care for Aster Flowers

Asters grow between 2 to 4 feet tall and they are topped with small flowers in lavender, pink, red, purple and white. According to The Garden Helper, they are hardy plants that can be grown in USDA hardiness zones ranging from 4 through 9. Because they bloom late in the season, they are ideal for adding some color to your yard during late summer and fall when other flowers have already died. Taking good care of your asters results in healthy plants with brightly colored flowers.

Things You'll Need

Aster seeds
Fertilizer

Gardening shears

Instructions

- 1
  Choose a location for your asters. These plants thrive in moist, well-drained soils that receive full sun, but they can accept some light shade.
- 2
  Plant the seeds during the early spring after the last frost. The seeds should be covered with about 1/8 inch of topsoil.
- 3
  Water the seeds thoroughly after they have been sown. They will begin to grow in 2 weeks to a month.
- 4
  Thin the asters when they are about 3 inches tall. You can thin asters by selecting the healthiest plant and pulling up the other plants around it. Leave between 12 and 15 inches of space between each healthy plant. Asters that have enough space to grow will be healthier and produce more flowers.
- 5
  Water the plant once or twice a week when there has not been rain.
- 6
  Add fertilizer to the aster plants about once a month.
- 7
  Pinch back the tops of the asters by 6 to 8 inches before mid-July. This will induce bushier plants and give the asters a longer blooming period.
- 8
  Cut down the aster after the flowering season. This will prevent the perennial from seeding its own plot and leading to overcrowded beds in the spring.

The Best Time to Plant Rudbeckia Hirta Seeds

How to Grow Poppies in Fungus

Growing Perennials