The Asters Are Blooming, Fall Must Be Near

The rain showers today are quickly washing away this last day of summer.  Unlike most years, it’s hard for me to say goodbye to this summer.  The weather was wonderfully mild and the frequent rainfall made the garden come to life more vibrantly than ever I remember.  However, since the asters are blooming, fall must be near.

One of the challenges, and the rewards, of a perennial garden is having something blooming at all times.   Usually, by this time of the year, the perennials are looking a little tired and the annuals have lost their luster.  But the asters are gearing up for center stage in the fall garden!

Asters really don’t require much maintenance.  They do like sun but when I took this picture last Saturday I realized that most of this bed along the fence row in my backyard is shaded by an unusually large dogwood tree.  So, it seems the little bit of morning sun they receive is enough to make them happy.

The original asters planted in my side garden became so large a few years ago that I decided to divide them and spread the wealth.  I divided, and divided, and divided!  After sharing with the neighbors, the remaining clumps were planted along the entire fence line on the east side of my backyard.  And they seem to love their new home!

In fact, the asters adapted so well that almost 5′ tall stalks eventually fell over on the ground and became increasingly difficult to mow around.  And they just looked messy and untended.  

However, I learned that cutting asters back mid-summer makes the height more manageable without sacrificing any of the flowers.  It worked!  So every year in mid-July, I cut them back to about 2′ high.  And I don’t mean a gentle “pinch back”.  I cut them in half!  No plan.  No caution.  No gentleness.  Just cut!

As you can see, they love the haircut!  They form a hedge of beautiful pink and purple flowers along the fence that add stunning fall color, much appreciated by all the bees that swarm from blossom to blossom.

So, don’t hesitate to add asters to your perennial garden for a burst of color at the season’s end.  They are one of my low-maintenance, fall perennial favorites. 

The asters are blooming, fall must be near.

Fall blooming asters get our green thumbs up!