Wood's Pink Aster

For fall flowers, few plants can top Wood’s Pink Aster, a gorgeous variety of New York aster, also called Michaelmas Daisy, or Rice Button Aster. An improved form of a native plant, it makes a rounded mound of pink daisy flowers from late summer all through the fall. No more than 18 inches tall, it is perfect for the front of beds, where it will sit unnoticed until its flowering suddenly brings it into prominence. Why have a flowerless fall, when you can grow this lovely plant, and the similar Wood’s Blue and Wood’s Purple for a fabulous display. Grows easily in most gardens, along a path, fronting a shrub or flower bed, or in meadows and natural gardens – it is a native plant. Also reliable in coastal gardens to brighten the beach cottage when you come to close up for the season.

• Smothered in bright pink daisy flowers through fall
• Compact mound for smaller gardens and spaces
• Great for edging beds or paths
• Can be grown in containers too
• Native plant loved by late butterflies

Plant Wood’s Pink Aster in full sun for the most profuse flowering, but it will take a little shade too. Grows best in moist, well-drained soil, but tolerates both dryness and wet ground. Happy in all types of soils, and in both acid and alkaline ground. Ignored by deer and rabbits, and attractive to butterflies, and to birds for winter seeds. Cut back to the ground in late fall or early spring, but don’t cut any green leaves you might see. After a few years, divide and replant, or work a mix of soil and compost over the top to regenerate it.