Plants & Profits: Aster

Suggest aster when customers ask for…

• A perennial that offers a burst of fall color
• Something with daisy-like flowers
• A showy perennial for a sunny location
• A plant that can provide cut flowers in the fall
• A plant to complement mums in an autumn display

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Generally speaking, aster is an easy plant to grow. Many are fall blooming and are often grown/sold in conjunction with fall mums as an end-of-season crop and a herald of autumn weather. Most asters prefer full sun, a notable exception being Aster divaricatus. All asters are herbaceous perennials with the ability to age to woody-like stature by the end of the season. All have alternate leaves, usually in dark green. Sometimes these leaves are oval, sometimes linear, often hairy, but frequently hairless. Unfortunately, asters are often prone to attack by powdery mildew. Maintaining the plants in peak health is the best way to avoid the problem. Culture and history information courtesy of Plant Publicity Holland. Read more at www.PerennialandNurseryNews.com.

Display and marketing possibilities

• Cross merchandise aster with fall mums.
• Display aster with other fall-blooming perennials, such as Japanese anemone, Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ and scabiosa.
• Display a vase of cut aster stems at your cash wrap or in your gift area.
• Merchandise aster and goldenrod side by side. These two fall-blooming perennials are often used as companions.