Photo: Cathie Bird, CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Pruning guide · Perennial
Calico aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum): when and how to prune
Symphyotrichum lateriflorum
Calico aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum) is best pruned in March.
| Pruning months | March |
|---|---|
| Flowering | September–October |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees and butterflies |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Calico aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum): when to prune it?
In March, before the new shoots come through.
What else to prune in those months? March
Calico aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum): how to prune it?
- Cut all the old stems back to about 10 cm above the ground.
- Use sharp secateurs or shears and clear away the clippings.
- During the season, remove dead or broken stems at the base.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: March.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Calico aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum) flowers in September–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)
- Bushy aster
- Heath aster
- New England aster
- Smooth aster (Symphyotrichum laeve)
Plant profile: Calico aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum) · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.