Water Wise Plants

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Aster chilensis

Pronunciation

ASS-ter chil-EN-sis

Common Name

California Aster

Plant Type

Perennial

Mature Size

2 ft. to 3 ft. wide and 18 in. to 3 ft. tall

Water Requirements

Very Low: water deeply several times a summer

Sun/Shade Requirements

Full to half sun

Wildlife

Butterflies

Flower Color

Purple, pale blue or white

Maintenance- Design- Planting Tips

This California native is a low growing, late summer bloomer that shines when much of the garden is quiet. It works well in the front of a low water perennial bed or native plant border.

California aster looks best if regularly deadheaded. After it is done blooming in the fall, shear it back to the ground to keep a tidy look in the garden. The plant will cheerfully return when winter is over.

PADG notes: California aster spread very rapidly even without supplemental water. It might work better in a situation where a rapidly spreading plant is needed for erosion control rather than in a small, mixed perennial bed.

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