Common Name: aster
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Asteraceae
Zone: 4 to 8
Height: 1.00 to 1.50 feet
Spread: 1.00 to 1.50 feet
Bloom Time: August to September
Bloom Description: Blue violet to purple
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flower: Showy
Attracts: Butterflies
Tolerate: Drought, Clay Soil
Culture
Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Prefers organically rich soils. Good air circulation and consistent moist soils with good drainage helps reduce incidence of foliar diseases. Pinching back stems several times before mid-July will help control plant height, promote bushiness and obviate any need for staking. Pinching is probably less important for this compact cultivar than for taller asters. Thinning stems in summer promotes better air circulation. Plants may be cut to the ground after flowering.
Pinching of this cultivar is not required due to compact size. Plants do not come true from seed, so consideration should be given to cutting back stems after flowering to prevent self-seeding.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Asters are the mainstay of many fall gardens producing daisy-like flowers.
Genus name comes from the Latin word aster meaning star for the shape of the flowers.
‘Wood’s Purple’ is a compact aster form that is similar to A. novae-angliae in appearance, but is noted for having much better disease resistance. It typically grows in a mounded clump to 12-18” tall. Small, semi-double, blue-violet to purple flowers (to 1/2” across) with yellow centers bloom in late summer to early fall. Glossy dark green leaves have excellent disease resistance. This cultivar is part of a Wood aster series that also includes A. ‘Wood’s Pink’ and A. ‘Wood’s Blue’.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Susceptibile to powdery mildew. Aster wilt can also be an occasional problem, particularly if plants are grown in poorly-drained clay soils. Taller cultivars may require staking or other support.
This cultivar reportedly has excellent mildew and rust resistance.
Uses
Borders, cottage gardens, butterfly gardens. Also may be used as a perennial edging plant along walkways or paths. Also may be grown in containers in sunny locations.