The care of summer asters is not special, but quite similar to that for other perennials. But does it make sense to invest a lot of time and energy in the summer asters or do they die in the first year?

Summer asters are annual plants

Summer asters - annual plants

Many plant lovers will probably pull a sad face now, but: unfortunately, summer asters are only annual plants. This distinguishes them from the autumn asters that are known and widespread in this country. These are perennial and get wider with age.

Summer asters do not belong to the asters

The name is misleading, because summer asters are actually not asters. While autumn asters belong to the genus Aster, summer asters belong to the genus Callistephus. They are also known as garden asters, depending on the region.

Germinate in the first year, bloom in the first year

The summer aster is pre-cultivated in spring or sown directly outdoors from May. Within a few weeks, young plants have formed and grow vigorously until summer.

In summer, these plants reach a height of up to 70 cm. This makes them shorter than autumn asters. Then the flowering period begins at the same time, because summer asters are in a hurry. The daisy flowers are present until autumn.

Start sowing again every year

If you want to see the summer asters in your garden, balcony box or a pot on the terrace every year, you have to work hard. Since the plant is only one year old, it has to be sown or bought and planted again every year. To save costs, it is advisable to collect the seeds in the fall and sow them in the spring.

How to recognize a summer aster

You can recognize a summer aster by these characteristics, among others:

  • Flowering period: July to October
  • Growth height: 40 to 70 cm
  • upright to sprawling growth
  • yellow, red, pink, purple or white flowers
  • rough hairy stems
  • Leaves: ovate-triangular, toothed at the edge
  • not hardy

tips

Summer asters are great for summer borders, cottage gardens and cut flower beds!

Category:

Vegetable garden