Tall, fall-blooming asters are an excellent choice for autumn perennial borders in full sun. These plants produce blooms in various colors that make excellent cut flowers and are exceptionally attractive to bees -- a sign of a healthy garden. Fall-blooming asters are known for a susceptibility to powdery mildew, but some varieties are resistant. Planting asters in moist, fertile soil can avert this issue. For best results, divide asters every two-to-four years.
Among the Tallest
Tartarian aster (Aster tataricus) and the Michaelmas daisy “Hella Lacy” (Aster novae-angliae “Hella Lacy”) are among the tallest members of the aster family. Tartarian aster grows from 36-to-72 inches tall in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9 and bears violet-blue flowers in September that attract butterflies. This tall aster seldom requires staking and maintains its lush appearance until the first frost. “Hella Lacy” puts out lavender-blue daisies from late summer into mid-fall and is more likely to require staking. It grows from 47-to-59 inches tall in USDA zones 3 through 9.
Up to 47 Inches Tall
Some Michaelmas daisies (Aster spp.) grow up to 47 inches tall and bloom from late summer to early fall. “Lovely” (Aster ericoides “Lovely”) displays an abundance of small, violet-purple daisies and tolerates drought. “Monte Cassino” (Aster pringlei “Monte Cassino”) blooms in loads of small white daisies that attract butterflies and tolerates dry soil. “Lovely” grows 35-to-47 inches tall in USDA zones 3 through 9, and “Monte Cassino” grows 29-to-47 inches tall in USDA zones 4 through 9. Both asters exhibit good resistance to powdery mildew.
35-to-39 Inches Tall
Certain fall asters grow 35-to-39 inches tall and blossom from late summer to mid-fall. The Michaelmas daisy “Lady in Black” (Aster lateriflorus “Lady in Black”) bears masses of small, white daisies among smoky-black leaves and makes a beautiful addition to cut flower arrangements. Michaelmas daisy “Alma Potschke” (Aster novae-angliae “Alma Potschke”) puts out an abundance of bright, salmon-pink blossoms. To reduce the need for staking, pinch back the plants before July. “Lady in Black” grows in USDA zones 4 through 9, and “Alma Potschke” grows in USDA zones 2 through 9.
Up to 35 Inches Tall
Expect loads of blooms atop stems up to 35 inches tall when you plant certain members of the genus Aster. Heath aster “Pink Cloud” (Aster ericoides “Pink Cloud”) gets smothered in butterfly-attracting, light-pink blooms prized by florists. This mildew-resistant variety grows 29-to-35 inches tall in USDA zones 3 through 9. Michaelmas daisy “Lavender” (Aster “Lavender”), from the Kickin collection, gets covered in soft-lavender flowers and does well in containers. It grows 23-to-35 inches tall in USDA zones 5 through 9.
- Perennials.com: Aster Novae-Angliae "Alma Potschke"
- Perennials.com: Aster Lateriflorus "Lady in Black"
- Perennials.com: Aster Pringlei "Monte Cassino"
- Perennials.com: Aster Ericoides "Lovely"
- Perennials.com: Aster KICKIN "Lavender"
- Perennials.com: Aster ericoides "Pink Cloud"
- Perennials.com: Aster Novae-Angliae "Hella Lacy"
- Missouri Botanical Garden: Aster Tataricus
- University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Lassen County: Bees and Other Pollinators
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