Michigan State University Extension
Ornamental Plants plus Version 2.0 - 00000170
01/01/98
Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8 Height: 5 ft Spacing: 24 in Type: herbaceous perennial Flowers: Blue, pink, purple, red, white
Comments: Asters produce large clusters of flowers in white, purple, lavender, pink and red. The plants tolerate poor soil and dryness but bloom poorly in dry soil. They grow 2 to 5 feet tall depending on the cultivar grown. Michaelmas Daisy multiplies rapidly so may need frequent division. Tall varieties need staking or grow the shorter varieties. For best bloom, thin out shoots from large clumps. Asters grow best in full sun or light shade.
Propagation: Aster is grown from seed or division. Division is done in October or early spring. The seed germinates in 15 days indoors, or 20 to 30 days outdoors.
Cultivars: The dwarf types are derived from A. dummosus
but are listed here for convenience.
'Alert' - Red flowers on 15-inch plants.
'Alice Haslam' - Deep, double rose pink flowers
'Alma Potschke' - Bright pink flowers, plant 3 feet
tall.
'Butterfly Blue' - Blue flowers, the height is
described as medium.
'Butterfly Rose' - Rose colored flowers and a medium
height.
'Harrington Pink' - Clear pink, semi-double flowers are
produced on 4 foot tall plants.
'Hella Lacy' - Blue-violet flowers, plant to 4 feet
tall.
'Mt. Rainier' - Creamy white flowers.
'Painted Lady' - Light pink flowers on tall plants.
'Patricia Ballard' - Lavender pink flowers on short
plants.
'Persian Rose' - Pink flowers.
'Pink Bouquet' - A one-foot tall plant with soft pink
flowers.
'Professor Kippenburg' - Clear bright blue flowers on a
plant 15 inches tall.
'Purple Dome' - An 18-inch tall plant with a compact
habit and heavy production of deep purple flowers.
'Raspink' - A tall plant with medium-pink flowers.
'Red Star' - A 15-inch mound of rose-red flowers.
'Rosana' - Rose pink flowers on sturdy stems.
'Rose Serenade' - A one-foot tall plant with soft rose
colored flowers.
'September Ruby' - Bright red flowers, good as cut
flower.
'Shone Von Dietlikon' - A short plant with dark blue
flowers.
'Skipper' - Light pink flowers on a tall plant.
'Snow Cushion' - Short, 10-inch plants with snow-white
flowers.
'Snow Flurry' - Large white flowers are produced on
plants 18 inches tall.
tongolensis 'Wartberg Star' - Lavender blue flowers
with yellow centers.
'Violet Carpet' - A 10-inch plant with deep violet-blue
flowers.
'Violetta' - Deep purple flowers.
'White Opal' - The plants are 15 inches tall and
produce white flowers.
'Winston Churchill' - Dark red flowers on short plants.
References for Cultivars: Walters Gardens 1997, Bailey Nurseries 1997, Lake County Nursery 1995, Ray Wiegand's Nursery 1997, Weston Nurseries 1994, White Flower Farm 1997, Wayside Gardens 1996, Monrovia Nursery Company 1997, Studebaker Nurseries 1998.