Alphabetical Plant Listing

Aster dumosus (Bushy Asters)

Bushy Aster, Michaelmas Daisy, Aster Wood's Blue, Symphyotrichum dumosum, Rice Button Aster


Providing a bold splash of color in the late-season garden with its masses of starry flowers, Bushy Aster (Aster domusus) is a rather short, compact, and bushy perennial that is ideal for the front of the garden and, unlike many other Asters, doesn't require staking. Native to North America, it is easy to grow, is long-lived, brings cheerful fall color, and is a great source of nectar for butterflies!

  • Blooming for many weeks from late summer to late fall, this eye-catching beauty features arching, multi-branched stems, 1-3 ft. long (30-90 cm), either erect, ascending, or sprawling. They are abundantly covered with lovely star-shaped blossoms, up to 1/2 - 3/4 in. wide (1-2 cm), usually in shades of lavender-blue or white, although some cultivars can be pale pink to deep purple-pink. The flowering sprays are upright on stems clad with skinny, roughly edged leaves.
  • Spreads from creeping rhizomes to form thick clumps, up to 12-36 in. tall (30-90 cm).
  • Thrives in full sun or part shade, in average, dry to moist, well-drained soils. Provide good air circulation to prevent powdery mildew.
  • A vital ingredient of late summer and fall borders, cottage gardens, or butterfly gardens. Asters are also valued for the excellent quality of their cut flowers.
  • Asters are a must if you are trying to attract birds or butterflies!

Aster Dumosus, commonly known as Bushy Aster, belongs to the Asteraceae family which also includes yarrows, chrysanthemums, and sunflowers. The Genus Aster contains over 600 species and thousands of hybrid varieties, providing a wide choice to pick from, as they all vary in habit, height, flower color, leaf shape, and growing conditions.

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Requirements

Hardiness 4 – 11
Heat Zones 1 – 11
Climate Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Aster
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Late)
Fall
Height 1' – 3' (30cm – 90cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 18" – 24" (45cm – 60cm)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Oklahoma, Texas
Tolerance Deer, Dry Soil, Salt
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage

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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 4 – 11
Heat Zones 1 – 11
Climate Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Aster
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Late)
Fall
Height 1' – 3' (30cm – 90cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 18" – 24" (45cm – 60cm)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Oklahoma, Texas
Tolerance Deer, Dry Soil, Salt
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Aster

Guides with Aster

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