How to Grow and Care for Early-Blooming Alpine Aster Aster alpinus
The alpine aster, Aster alpinus, is a short-lived cold weather perennial in the very large Asteraceae family that includes daisies, dahlias, and sunflowers.
This herbaceous ornamental species is unique for having an early bloom time, low profile, and single blossom per stem.
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In this article, you will learn all you need to grow and care for the alpine aster.
Cultivation and History
Best suited to USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 7, A. alpinus thrives in full sun with average to poor, well-draining soil.
Bloom time is from late spring to early summer, and sometimes mid-summer. Mature dimensions average eight to 12 inches tall and wide.
This species is native to the mountains of China and Europe, including the Alps.
A few subspecies may be found in the wild in Canada and parts of the western United States and Alaska, including the Plumas alpine aster, Oreostemma elatum (Greene) Greene, and Vierhapper’s aster, A. alpinus var.vierhapperi (Onno) Cronquist.
Unlike many aster species that produce clusters of flowers, the blossoms of A. alpinus are borne on individual stems, like daisies.
Alpine Aster Plant Propagation
This species grows from seeds, cuttings, and divided plants.
Seeds
Start seeds indoors to give them a jump start on the growing season. Scatter them on moist soil and tamp lightly, barely covering them.
Expect germination in two to four weeks. Transplant seedlings to their permanent location after the last average spring frost date.
Note that seed from a native species produces a replica of its parent plant.
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