Heath Aster

Year-round

Heath aster is a sun-loving aster that covers itself with tiny white flowers in late summer and fall. It handles dry spots, poor soil, and heavy clay once rooted. Wildflower Center lists it as valuable to native bees.

• Full sun, 6 or more hours a day.
• Medium to dry, well-drained soil. Tolerates rocky, clay, or poor soil.
• Drought tolerant once established.
• Grows 1.5 to 3 feet tall and may need staking when tall.
• Bloom runs August to October. Deer tolerate it once it is established.

Cutting it back in spring and pinching in early summer keeps it neat in a front bed.

Fall

This is bloom time. White flowers cover the plant from late summer to mid fall.

• Enjoy the bloom and skip feeding.
• Leave seed heads if you want more plants.
• Water only if fall is very dry.
• Southern blight is listed as a disease, so remove any plant that collapses.

Winter

The plant rests through winter with no care needed.

• No watering is needed.
• Leave the stems standing or cut them back.
• Mark the spot to avoid digging it up.
• Plan the hard cut back for early spring.

Spring

Cut last year's stems back hard in early spring. This keeps the plant tidy and full.

• Cut old stalks to a few inches as new growth starts.
• Plant new ones in full sun.
• Water new plants weekly for the first month.
• Do not fertilize.

Summer

Once rooted, it handles Lancaster's hot spells with little help.

• Water only new plants or in a long drought.
• Pinch stems in early summer if you want a shorter, bushier plant.
• Stake tall stems if they flop.
• Keep it out of shade so it does not get leggy.