Photo: Pete Grannis, CC BY 4.0 · source
Pruning guide · Perennial
Bushy aster: when and how to prune
Symphyotrichum dumosum
Bushy aster is best pruned in March.
| Pruning months | March |
|---|---|
| Flowering | August–October |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees and butterflies |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Bushy aster: when to prune it?
From late February to March, before the new shoots appear.
What else to prune in those months? March
Bushy aster: how to prune it?
- Cut the old, dead stems down to 5–10 cm above the ground.
- Leave the seedheads standing until then: they look good in winter and feed birds.
- If you like, pinch the tips at the end of May for a denser cushion and slightly later flowering.
- Clear dead leaves from around the base to reduce mildew.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: March.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Bushy aster flowers in August–October, when it attracts bees and butterflies.
- If you only cut back in March, the old stems stand through the winter: insects overwinter in them and birds eat the seeds.
Nearby: related pruning guides
- Aromatic aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium)
- Blue wood aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium)
- Calico aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum)
- Heath aster
- New England aster
- Smooth aster (Symphyotrichum laeve)
Plant profile: Bushy aster · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.