Aster (Symphyotrichum)
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Deciduous Perennial in the Asteraceae Family

Asters are your garden’s grand finale—bursting into bloom just when everything else starts to fade. These late-season stars bring a confetti of purples, pinks, and whites that pollinators adore. They’re tough, low-maintenance, and thrive in Chicagoland’s fall. Plant asters, and your garden will go out with a standing ovation.

Pros

  • Vibrant late-season color and pollinator joy when other plants are fading
  • Variety of sizes and colors
  • Several native Asters are available
  • Cold-hardy and reliable in Chicagoland

Cons

  • Can become leggy and flop over in formal gardens without regular pruning or early-season pinching back
  • Short bloom window
  • Needs full sun
  • Some types can self-seed aggressively
 

Plant Data

Tags Deciduous, Perennial, Popular For Fall
 

In The News

 

More Info from Experts


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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.


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