Featured Plant

Fall Aster, Aster oblongifolius

Location: The end of the bed near the southeast entrance to the Watson Technical Center. (Map)

Characteristics: This beautiful plant is a member of the Asteraceae Family (Compositae) which is second in number of species to the largest plant family in the world, the Orchidaceae. Most of us think of orchids as being rare and exotic flowers, but that is because the really showy ones grow in more tropical environments. We do have wild orchids in Central Texas. The Family Asteraceae is very familiar in gardens and growing wild. Sunflowers, daisies, chrysanthemums, thistles and asters are just a few members of this prolific family. The name aster comes from the Latin word for star, and the specific epithet describes the oblong-shaped leaves that make up the foliage. Fall Aster is a confusing name because it is used as the common name for many different asters that all bloom in the fall and are sold in nursery trade as “Fall Asters.” Aster oblongifolius is an excellent selection that grows well in the Central Texas soil and weather.

Asters are one of the simplest perennials to grow. They require full sun to part shade in almost any garden soil. The plant makes an evergreen rosette 2 to 3 feet in height and width that begins blooming in late September. The lavender/purple ray flowers around yellow disk flowers that make up each infloresence continue blooming until as late as November or until the first freeze. Select one of the other yellow fall flowers to plant along with Aster oblongifolius for a great combination in your bed or garden. Another plus for this plant is that it is drought-resistant. Asters can be cut back in late spring to give you a shorter plant, but don’t cut them much later or you may lose the fall blooms.

Propagation of asters is simple as they grow from rhizomes (underground stems) that can be divided in late winter or early spring. They can also be propagated from cuttings. You can grow asters from seeds, but if your plants are hybrids, you may be in for a surprise when you plant seeds that you collect.

Landscape Tour Information: Skeet Powell Temple College Landscape Committee 2600 South First Street Temple, TX 76504 254-298-8690 1-800-460-4636

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