Succession Planting with Native Asters for Three Months of Fall Flowers

I’ve become an aster enthusiast. There are so many native species that nurseries rarely carry, yet when properly sited they require little care and bloom for years, attracting diverse insects. The trick: different asters bloom at different times. Plan carefully, and you can enjoy aster flowers from August through October—like a fireworks finale on repeat.

Aster Succession Timeline

Early to Mid-August: Big-Leaf Aster

Aster macrophyllus (syn. Symphyotrichum macrophyllum) — Partial sun to shade, dry to wet soils, 12–18 inches tall, slowly creeping. Native to Great Lakes, New England, eastern Midwest. Long-lasting petals make a great front-of-border splash.

Late August to Early September: Sky Blue Aster

Aster azureus — Full sun, dry soil, 3 feet tall, 1 foot wide. One of the brightest asters, native to eastern Plains and central Midwest. Small footprint and wiry stems allow tucking in anywhere; iridescent flowers shine above faded summer perennials.

Same Time: White Woodland Aster

Aster divaricatus — Full shade, dry soil, 12–18 inches tall and wide. Native to East Coast. Pairs beautifully with sky blue aster for sun/shade coverage. Mass in groups of three.

Late September to Early October: New England Aster

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae — Full sun, medium to moist soil, 3–5 feet tall, 2 feet wide. Native to most of central/eastern U.S. Cut back 50% before July 4 for bushier, more floriferous plants. Major insect/butterfly draw.

Same Time: Smooth Aster

Aster laevis — Full sun, medium soil, 2 feet tall and wide. Native to most of U.S. Competes with New England aster for insect attraction. Easy from seed. Plant something underneath—lower stems die out and look ratty.

Early to Late October: Aromatic Aster

Aster oblongifolius — Shrugs off frosts and hard freezes. 2 feet tall and wide, sometimes wider. Native from high Plains to East Coast. Last nectar stop for migrating/overwintering insects (bumblebees, monarchs, red admirals, sulphurs). Highly adaptable; cultivar ‘October Skies’ works as a small perennial shrub.

That’s asters from August through October (into November in some zones). You can also cheat with false aster (Boltonia), which blooms early to mid-September as a cloud-like 4-foot perennial topped with hundreds of white daisies.

Note: Bloom times based on zone 5 (eastern Nebraska). There are at least three times as many asters I could mention—I just love them and the fall garden! (About a third of my garden blooms in fall.)

October and November are perfect for planting fall flowers, giving them a head start for next summer.

Tell us: What asters do you grow? Any native species? Do you succession garden?

More: What to Do in Your Garden Now