The Aster
If you are looking for flowers in a variety of shades, the aster is a good choice. They come in cool and warm shades. The most common colors, however, are white, blue, and purple. No matter the petal color, all asters come with a lively yellow center. Most varieties begin blooming in mid to late summer and continue until the first frost. The flower is part of the sunflower family but looks more like a daisy. Some varieties, such as Aster Novae Angliae (New England Aster), grow up to five foot tall. Others, such as Callistephus Chinensis (Aster Blue Moon), grow to only a couple of foot.This perennial favorite does well in most soils. For the best blooms and growth, you need to locate them in full sun. once they are established, the aster will become a hardy part of your garden for years to come. They like moist soil that is not too wet. If you have a dry spell, they can go a bit dry with no problems. To get the best blooms in dry conditions, water them a couple times a week.
To get a bed of asters started, you have a couple of choices. If you are lucky enough to have a friend with an established bed, you might get a clump to start with. You can start additional beds from one already established. If you are not that lucky, you can start asters from seeds as well. Plant them early inside for the best results. once the risk of frost is gone, put the plants out with proper spacing. Smaller varieties need a few inches while the larger ones need a couple feet to spread out. Check the particular variety for best results.