Peking Aster Aster pekinensis
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Kalimeris integrifolia
- Phonetic Spelling
- ASS-ter pee-keen-EN-sis
- Description
-
Japanese Aster is a showy perennial in the daisy family (Asteraceae). The lavender-white flowers appear throughout the summer for a long season of color. It does well in average, moist, well-drained soil in full sun. It can be propagated by seeds or division.
Use this plant in small groupings, along walkways or in borders. Cut back in the fall or leave the seeds for the birds.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Daisy Mae'
Single white flowers
- 'Daisy Mae'
- 'Daisy Mae'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Daisy Mae'
Single white flowers
- 'Daisy Mae'
- 'Daisy Mae'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Aster
- Species:
- pekinensis
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- SE. Siberia to N. Korea
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies. Birds feast on the seeds.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Brown achene obovoid, with 2-4 ribs
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-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- White to lavender daisy-like flowers with 19-29 ray florets and yellow disk floret centers appear throughout the summer.
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Oblanceolate
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The gray-green lance-shaped leaves have smooth margins with a prominent midvein and rounded or pointed apex.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Erect, solitary or branching from the middle.
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Heat
- Humidity
