The Asters Are Blooming

[GoDawgs]

The trees aren't turning yet but the asters are in full bloom to add some color to the place. These all came from about five or six small plants that a friend dug out of her bed for me about four years ago. I have no idea what variety they are.





I haven't seen yet all the butterflies that usually visit the aster bed. That is in keeping with the lack of butterflies in general this year. Maybe they're just late. We'll see.

[agee]

How does the plant look during the hottest part of summer?

[GoDawgs]

How does the plant look during the hottest part of summer?

Just non-descript green. And shorter. I try to remember to prune them before July 4th to make them more bushy but it never happens (too much other stuff going on) so they get taller by fall.

[PlainJane]

I had a nice big clump of ‘Clara Curtis’ up in my Massachusetts garden and just loved it every fall. It would turn a glorious peachy pink as soon as we had a nip in the air. Yours reminds me of her a bit.

[bower]

We have wild ones in bloom here now. They are tiny, and more of a lavender color than pink. Always nice to see a splash of color when other things are long done!

[OmarLittle]

Just started blooming here

[MissS]

@OmarLittle They are so pretty. Where are you located?

[OmarLittle]

@OmarLittle They are so pretty. Where are you located?

I'm in Iowa. It seems a bit early for them to bloom but who am I to argue. They bees love them so it's a welcome sight in my garden

[GoDawgs]

Wow, that does seem a bit early for asters. Mine don't even have buds yet.

[bower]

Everything is blooming early here this year, and was similar last year - big boom and bust, then nothing for the bees later on is what can happen. So I'm on the hunt for some perennials that are even later than the old faithfuls that were a great fit for our short season, in shorter seasons. Asters come up in the search, and I was surprised how many kinds there are, really pretty too, and generally quite late.

[PlainJane]

I had many in my zone 6 Massachusetts garden; favorite was always Clara Curtis.