Peking Aster Aster pekinensis
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Kalimeris integrifolia
- Phonetic Spelling
- ASS-ter pee-keen-EN-sis
- Description
-
Peking aster is a showy herbaceous perennial in the daisy family (Asteraceae) native to China, Mongolia, Manchuria and Korea.
The plant grows 1 to 2 feet tall and spreads 3 feet. It does well in average, moist, well-drained soil in full sun. It can be propagated by seeds or division.
The lavender-white flowers appear throughout the summer for a long season of color. The ray petals surround the center yellow disc flowers. Leaves are narrow and gray-green.
Use this plant in small groupings, along walkways or in borders. Cut back in the fall or leave the seeds for the birds.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
- 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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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-
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 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.
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-
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.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Erect, solitary or branching from the middle.
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-
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