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‘Lady in Black’ Aster (Aster lateriflorus ‘Lady in Black’): Dusky Purple Foliage and Autumn Blooms

‘Lady in Black’ aster (Aster lateriflorus ‘Lady in Black’) creates a stir from spring with dusky purple leaves. By summer’s end, thousands of tiny dark buds dot the densely branched 3-foot-tall plant, promising an explosion of color. Attracts butterflies.

Care

Light: Full sun; tolerates light shade.
Soil: Moist but well-drained.
Pinch stems back in early summer for bushier plants.

Propagation & Problems

Divides well in autumn. Most asters require frequent division. Fungal diseases: wilt disease, powdery mildew, botrytis.

Quick Reference

Height	1–3 ft.
Spread	1–3 ft.
Growth Habit	Clumps
Light	Full Sun to Part Shade
Moisture	Medium
Maintenance	Low
Features	Native, showy flowers, showy foliage
Bloom Time	Fall, Summer
Uses	Beds, Borders
Style	Meadow Garden, Cottage Garden
Seasonal Interest	Spring Interest
Type	Perennials

Other: Climbing Carolina Aster (Ampelaster carolinianus): Late-Fall Blooms for Pollinators; New York Aster (Aster dumosus): Short Lilac-Blue Flowers for Slopes; ‘Wood’s Pink’ Aster (Aster dumosus ‘Wood’s Pink’): Pink Daisy-Like Flowers, Mildew Resistant; Heath Aster (Aster ericoides): Native Clumping Perennial with Small White Flowers; ‘Lady in Black’ Aster (Aster lateriflorus ‘Lady in Black’): Dusky Purple Foliage and Autumn Blooms; Bigleaf Aster (Aster macrophyllus): Heart-Shaped Leaves Turning Mauve in Autumn; New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae): Tall Violet-Purple Sprays; ‘Purple Dome’ New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae ‘Purple Dome’): Compact Mildew-Resistant Mounds; Tatarian Aster (Aster tataricus): Tall Late-Blooming Butterfly Magnet; East Indies Aster (Aster tongolensis): Mat-Forming Violet-Blue Flowers

Garden Articles

Identifying a Tall, Pale Pink Fall Perennial in Coastal Massachusetts

Aster Flower Meaning: Starry Blooms, September Birth Flower & Symbolism

Autumn Asters: Fall-Blooming Stars for the Late-Season Garden

‘October Skies’ Aster (Aster oblongifolius ‘October Skies’): Dwarf Mounding Sky-Blue Flowers

Frikart’s Aster (Aster × frikartii): Long-Blooming Violet-Blue Flowers

‘Wonder of Staffa’ Aster (Aster × frikartii ‘Wonder of Staffa’): Repeat-Blooming Violet-Blue Flowers

Growing Aster (Michaelmas Daisy)

Plants

Dividing Perennial Asters in Late Summer

Cold-Damaged Potted Aster: Prune and Wait for Regrowth

Perennial Aster Care: Soil, Water, and Maintenance

Perennial Asters: Varieties, Culture, and Garden Uses

Growing Asters: From Alpine Gems to Late-Season Stars

Strawberry-Scented Geranium 'Lady Scarborough' (Pelargonium 'Lady Scarborough')

Aster Diseases: Symptoms, Causes, and Management Options