A very showy species in cultivation producing many flowers that can be over an inch in diameter, larger than many other aster species. Pinching stem tips in spring will promote a more compact shape, otherwise it will have a branched, open habit. Lavender aster is a wonderful choice for late-season pollinators as it can produce flowers as late as November.

Uses: bees, butterflies

Bloom time: August - November

Height: 16 to 30 inches

Space: 16 to 24 inches

Sun: Sun to medium shade

Moisture: Dry to average

Seed: Most asters don't require a long cold-moist stratification period, but it would be best to sow seed December through March or stratify at least 2 weeks.

• ~200 seeds per packet
• 35,000 seeds per ounce
• 1 ounce covers up to 1,200 square feet