Native Plants

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Friday - July 04, 2014

From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Pruning, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Optimal time for trimming Fall asters
Answered by: Guy Thompson

QUESTION:

RE: fall asters What is the latest date in the summer that I can trim my fall asters and still get a good amount of blooms in October?

ANSWER:

Symphyotrichum oblongifolium (Aromatic aster) or Fall aster does tend to become leggy, especially if watered regularly. It is recommended that it be pruned back by about half in June. I would imagine you could stretch that to early July, but hurry.

From the Image Gallery

Aromatic aster
Symphyotrichum oblongifolium