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< back Common name: western aster Scientific name: Aster occidentalis Duration: Perennial Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower) Habitat: Moist habitat to seasonally dry, full sun to partial shade. Blooming period: Midsummer to frost Color: Purple rays with yellow disk flowers in center Height: 1-2' Planting Time: One of the best autumn flowers. Extremely adaptable and dependable up to 4,500 ft. Expect masses of showy, bright, daisy-like, blue to purple flowers with yellow centers. Bloom time may be enhanced by removing spent flowers (dead-heading). A critical fall nectar source for Checkerspot and other species of butterflies as well as bees. Updated scientific name: Symphotrichum spathulatum var. spathulatum Seeding Requirements: Seeds will germinate when planted in the early spring OR late fall. No stratification is required. Planting Instructions: Sow seeds directly in the ground or in pots at 1/8" in late fall or early spring. Maintain a moist seed bed; gradually reducing watering following the first year of establishment. Clipping spent flowers is recommended if volunteers not desired and to extend bloom period. Seeds per pound: 1,2900,000 Seeding Rate: 1 oz./300 sq.ft. Aster, from the Greek word meaning “a star” this refers to the appearance of the radiate flower heads occidentalis, means “western”
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