How To Grow: Asters

Asters are a genus of flowering plant, containing around 600 species, belonging to the Asteraceae family. These daisy-like plants are herbaceous perennials native to North America and Southern Europe.

Picture courtesy of Kelledia

Asters come in a wide range of colours, including pink, purple, magenta and red. They grow well in flower beds and rock gardens and seeds should be planted in early spring. Here are our gardening tips on how to grow asters in your garden this year:

1. You need to select the right site in which to grow your asters. These plants like to be in full sunlight or partial shade and need to be situated in well-drained soil.

2. Once you have found the perfect spot in your garden to grow your asters you need prepare the soil and dig holes in the flower bed. Asters grow best in soil that has been fertilised prior to planting and need to be planted an inch deep with around 30cm between each seed.

3. The aster seeds need to be watered in well, until the soil is completely moist. Add mulch around the plants to help keep weeds down.

4. Asters will bloom in autumn and should be cut back in late winter once all of the foliage has died. Water the soil well throughout the following summer and asters will continue to bloom annually.

Visit us here at The Secret Gardens of Sandwich during autumn to see our Asters in bloom.