The cushion aster is used in borders and as a bed border as well as as a grave plant. The higher-growing varieties are also suitable as cut flowers for the vase, as is the closely related smooth-leaf aster.
After flowering it can be cut back
The annual cut
Although the cushion aster is considered to be easy to care for, a regular cut is quite good for it. If your cushion aster has finished flowering, you can shorten the plant by about a third, and in late autumn cut it just above the ground. This encourages new shoots in spring and rich bud formation.
If you forget to cut back once, it won't immediately become a drama, but if you never cut, your cushion aster will sooner or later stop flowering or reduce it. Higher-growing varieties, such as the related smooth-leaf aster, tend to age, which you can also prevent with timely pruning.
You should not only remove diseased plant parts during the annual pruning, but immediately if you notice them. Be sure to use sharp pruning shears to avoid damaging the plant. It is also best to cut off wilted flowers regularly, it just looks nicer.
Is there an alternative to pruning?
You can also rejuvenate your cushion or autumn asters by dividing the plants. However, you should wait until your aster has finished flowering. If you divide the plants about every two years, your cushion asters will always bloom profusely and the plants will remain healthy. However, the division does not replace a pruning.
The cushion aster as a cut flower
The mostly white, pink or violet flowers are ideal for colorful bouquets. Regular pruning will encourage renewed growth. The cushion aster blooms particularly lavishly in a sunny location, where the colors shine much more intensely. In a mild area and with good weather, you can enjoy it well into November.
The essentials in brief:
- choose slightly taller growing varieties as cut flowers
- annual pruning makes sense
- without a cut there is a risk of old age
- Pruning promotes flowering and branching
- Cut back just above the ground in late autumn
tips
If the flowering of your cushion asters decreases over the years, you can encourage the plants to flower more luxuriantly by pruning them back.