Late purple aster or purple daisy has a pleasing shape and attractive clasping leaves--a combination that gives the plant a nice appearance all year. Like most asters, it is opportunistic and will pop up wherever it finds a suitable spot. Spreading is easily controlled by mulching, dead-heading, or simply pulling up seedlings before they have a chance to get established.

Uses: bees, butterflies, fall color
Bloom time: August to October

Height: 18 to 30 inches
Space: 16 to 20 inches

Sun: Sun to medium shade
Moisture: Dry to average

Seed: Sow seed outdoors November through March. A brief stratification period is beneficial but not entirely necessary.

• ~200 seeds per packet
• 50,000 seeds per ounce
• 1 oz. covers up to 1,650 square feet