Learn About Asters

Learn About Asters David Epstein: Hi I am David Epstein. This is Growing Wisdom. I have literally roped in Jackie Anza into helping me talk about Asters today. I saw you working and I said “Come on let’s do a video.” And you came over and graciously are going to tell us a little bit about Asters. What is so great about these plants, I love them, you tell me? Jackie Asters: Well, aside from the fact that it is October 1st and look at the color here that is number one. David Epstein: Number one, they flower on October. Jackie Asters: Nicely and beautiful colors, deep purples then pinks, I got some white. David Epstein: Where they do best, let’s talk about location first? Jackie Asters: They really like full sun, the more sun, the more flowers you get. You put them in a little bit of shade. The problem is they tend to flop a little bit more so the sun will give them a better structure. David Epstein: And any varieties that you really like, like if people are going out and they see so many. Is there a particularly variety that you would like to plant or you would recommend? Jackie Asters: Well, here in Massachusetts this one that Dave is holding is called Purple Dome. This one and then we have another really beautiful pink one called Alma Potschke. David Epstein: Alma Potschke, and how tall do those get? Jackie Asters: They probably top out about three feet. The only trick with them is sometimes they do get kind of floppy they almost need staking. David Epstein: What is this guy, this looks like it got snow on it already? Jackie Asters: Isn’t beautiful? It is a beautiful profusely white one almost looks like a little rug. It is actually in the heath family. David Epstein: But it is an Aster? Jackie Asters: It is an Aster this is Snow Flurry. David Epstein: It does look like it has snow on it and as a meteorologist we are hoping there's no Snow Flurries around here yet. Jackie Asters: It is only October 1st. David Epstein: The other nice thing about these plants is also the water requirements or lock there own, correct? Jackie Asters: That is very true. Once they are established they need no supplemental water at all, they shouldn’t. David Epstein: And that is really important. A lot of folks around the country have water bends, irrigation issues, so Asters late flower, drought resistant once established, a really great plant to have in the garden, in front of the border for the lower ones, back in the border for the tall. I will let you get back to work. Thanks for helping me out and thanks for watching this edition of Growing Wisdom.