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Japanese Aster Aster pinnatifidus

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Japanese Aster:

Previously known as:

  • Aster iinumae
  • Asteromoea pinnatifida
  • Kalimeris pinnatifida
Phonetic Spelling
ASS-ter pin-nah-tih-FY-dus
Description

This easy-to-grow apple green, single and double white aster-like flower is a Japanese wildflower that has a long bloom season from early summer to fall. It is typically found in fields and along footpaths in Japan. It is a member of the Asteraceae or Aster Family. The plant is typically called the Japanese Aster because it is similar to wild asters and originated in Japan

Plant in full sun to partial shade, though it appreciates some afternoon shade in hot climates, well-drained, medium moisture soils. 

Plant in perennial borders, naturalize in a meadow, or mass plant along a walkway. The flowers can start out as single blooms but by mid-summer, they are doubled.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious problems but it can suffer from root rot in overly wet soils.   It needs to be sheltered from battering winds.    

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Hortensis'
    Pure white double flowers
'Hortensis'
Tags:
#showy flowers#white flowers#low maintenance#mass planting#double flowers#long bloom time#border planting#cutting garden#walkway planting#perennial#meadow
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Hortensis'
    Pure white double flowers
'Hortensis'
Tags:
#showy flowers#white flowers#low maintenance#mass planting#double flowers#long bloom time#border planting#cutting garden#walkway planting#perennial#meadow
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Aster
    Species:
    pinnatifidus
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Korea and Japan
    Distribution:
    Native: Korea and Japan
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts pollinators.
    Play Value:
    Easy to Grow
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 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:
    Erect
    Mounding
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Semi-double daisy-like flowers that are up to 1 inch wide. The rays are white, and the center disk is yellow. They have abundant blooms from June to October.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Soft
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Other/more complex
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Pinnatifid
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Lobed
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The basal leaves are up to 3.5 inches long and are pinnately lobed. The stem leaves are small with entire margins.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators