Aster

Growing Guide

Sow indoors in March and April, sprinkling seed thinly on the surface of a good free draining, damp seed compost. Do not cover seed, and until germination water the tray or pot from below to avoid washing the seed away. Place in a propagator or seal container inside a polythene bag until after germination. Do not exclude light at any stage, as this helps germination.

Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle into trays or 7.5cm pots. Grow on in cooler, well-lit conditions for 2 to 3 weeks, before hardening off and planting out after all risk of frost has passed. Plant out 15-25cm apart.

Later outdoor sowings in May can be made direct into the flowering site. Create shallow drills and water them prior to finely sprinkling seed. clumps in shallow drills. Outside sowings should be gradually thinned to the same spacings as above when the seedlings are large enough to handle.

Asters grow in most moisture-retentive soil types that are fertile or have been improved with organic matter such as garden compost. They are happiest in full sun but can cope with light shade.



Asters are popular plants, unrivalled for their range of late-season flower colour between summer and the end of autumn. Asters lend themselves well to a range of garden styles from prairie plantings to cottage gardens and mixed borders.

TOP TIPS

In late spring, when your asters have grown to about six inches tall, you can pinch back the tips of each stem with your fingers or use gardening snips. This will encourage lateral branching and create a fuller plant with more blooms.