Common Name: aster
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Asteraceae
Zone: 4 to 8
Height: 1.00 to 1.50 feet
Spread: 1.00 to 1.50 feet
Bloom Time: August to September
Bloom Description: Pink rays with yellow centers (semi-double)
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flower: Showy
Attracts: Butterflies
Tolerate: Drought, Clay Soil
Culture
Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Prefers organically rich soils. Good air circulation and consistent moist soils with good drainage helps reduce incidence of foliar diseases. Pinching back stems several times before mid-July will help control plant height, promote bushiness and obviate any need for staking. Pinching is probably less important for this compact cultivar than for taller asters. Thinning stems in summer promotes better air circulation. Plants may be cut to the ground after flowering.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Asters are the mainstay of many fall gardens producing daisy-like flowers.
Genus name comes from the Latin word aster meaning star for the shape of the flowers.
‘Wood's Pink’ is a compact, clump-forming aster that is similar to Aster novae-angliae in appearance. It typically grows in a compact mound to 12-18” tall. Daisy-like, semi-double asters (to 1/2” diameter) with pink rays and yellow centers bloom profusely from late summer to early fall. Flowers are attractive to butterflies. Glossy dark green leaves. This cultivar is part of the Wood Aster series that also include A. 'Wood's Purple' and A. 'Wood's Blue'.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Susceptibile to powdery mildew. Aster wilt can also be an occasional problem, particularly if plants are grown in poorly-drained clay soils. Taller cultivars may require staking or other support.
‘Wood's Pink’ is a compact so should not need staking.
Uses
Borders, cottage gardens, butterfly gardens. Also may be used as a perennial edging plant along walkways or paths. Also may be grown in containers in sunny locations.
Containers.