Aster - Douglas Aster (Symphyotrichum chilense) Pacific Aster Common California Asters Flower

Aster - Douglas Aster (Symphyotrichum chilense) Pacific Aster Common California Asters Flower

Perennial

Height 20-40 in

Pacific Aster is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial that boasts many star-like blooms, and is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae; also known also as Douglas Aster and common California Aster.

Native to the west coast of North America from British Columbia to Southern California and the Channel Islands, Pacific Aster is the perfect addition to any garden and is great as a stand alone feature plant or it makes a fantastic colorful hedge!

Pacific Aster has a sprawling to upright habit; its stems are slender and somewhat hairy on the upper parts. Plants sport numerous small daisy like flower heads that range from sky blue, violet, and lavender. 

Easy to grow, very low maintenance and not affected by any serious pests or diseases. Great for meadow gardens, prairie restoration, creation of butterfly gardens, native bee and insect habitats, and is a beautiful solution for soil erosion. Attracts numerous bees and is a late season food source for all kinds of pollinators. Blooms mid summer to fall.

• Full sun
• Well draining soil
• Tolerates drought
• Direct sow seeds outside: in colder zones mid to late March or when the snow has melted but the ground is still cooler. In warmer zones, direct sow in January or February. Scatter seeds where desired, cover lightly with soil; water in lightly
• Germinates in 10 to 14 days
• OR start seeds indoors 7 to 8 weeks before the last frost in pots/flats; refrigerate for 4 to 6 weeks to simulate winter dormancy. Remove and place the pots/flats in a sunny spot with a temperature of 60 to 62 F
• Transplant seedlings into trays 5 cm apart and grow on.
• Gradually acclimatise the Aster plants to outside conditions, and plant out
• Spacing: 35 cm apart
  
• Seed Count: 100