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Aster October Skies
Aster oblongifolius 'October Skies'
Aster 'October Skies' offers a stunning display of lavender-blue flowers in late summer and fall, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies to your garden. This hardy, drought-tolerant perennial thrives in full sun, providing vibrant color with minimal maintenance, perfect for borders and cottage gardens.
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Aster October Skies for Sale Online
Aster 'October Skies' is a charming, low-growing perennial that adds a burst of vibrant color to fall landscapes. This compact aster variety features masses of delicate, lavender-blue daisy-like flowers with bright yellow centers that bloom profusely from late summer into fall. Growing to a height of 18-24 inches and spreading up to 36 inches wide, Aster 'October Skies' is perfect for borders, cottage gardens, and butterfly gardens. Its dense mounding habit and showy fall display make it a standout in any garden, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies.
In addition to its stunning blooms, Aster 'October Skies' is exceptionally hardy and low-maintenance. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil but can tolerate partial shade and a range of soil conditions, including clay and sandy soils. Once established, this aster is also drought-tolerant, making it a perfect choice for water-wise gardens. Its long bloom time and ability to withstand light frost ensure that Aster 'October Skies' continues to add color and beauty to the landscape even as the season transitions to cooler temperatures.
Perfect for naturalistic plantings, Aster 'October Skies' pairs beautifully with other fall bloomers like goldenrod, ornamental grasses, and sedum. Its compact, mounding form is ideal for mass plantings, ground cover, or edging. Whether you want to extend your garden's bloom season or create a pollinator-friendly landscape, Aster 'October Skies' provides vibrant fall color with minimal care, making it an essential addition to any garden.
| Hardiness Zone: | 3-8 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 1.5 to 2 feet |
| Mature Width: | 2 to 3 feet |
| Classification: | Flowering Perennial |
| Sunlight: | Full Sun to light shade |
| Habit: | Upright, clump forming |
| Flower Color: | Lavender blue |
| Flowering Season: | Mid Fall to late fall |
| Foliage: | Green-gray, sweetly scented |
| Soil Condition: | Prefers dry, average to slightly moist soil, wont tolerate wet soil in winter |
| Water Requirements: | Water well until established. |
| Uses: | Extremely attractive when used as a focal point in the mixed border, mass planting. Attracts pollinators. |
How to Care for Aster October Skies
Before you buy a Aster October Skies Plant, make sure to read about the recommended care instructions to keep this plant healthy and thriving.
How do I plant Aster October Skies?
To plant Aster 'October Skies,' start by choosing a location that receives full sun, as this aster variety thrives in bright light and will produce more vibrant blooms with adequate sunlight. Aster 'October Skies' prefers well-drained soil that is moderately rich in organic matter, so consider amending the planting area with compost to improve soil quality. Dig a hole that is twice the width of the root ball and just as deep, allowing enough space for the roots to spread comfortably. Remove the plant from its container, gently loosen the roots, and position it in the hole so that the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding ground. Fill in the hole with soil, tamp it down lightly to remove any air pockets, and water thoroughly to help the roots establish. After planting, apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch around the base of Aster 'October Skies' to retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and reduce weed growth. Mulching also helps maintain even soil moisture, which is essential during the first growing season while the plant establishes itself. Water the newly planted aster regularly to keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid overwatering, as asters do not like soggy conditions. Space multiple asters about 18-24 inches apart to give them room to spread and create a dense, bushy display of beautiful, lavender-blue flowers that attract pollinators. With the right planting and care, Aster 'October Skies' will reward you with a stunning mass of blooms from late summer to fall, providing late-season color and pollinator support for your garden.
How do I Water Aster October Skies?
Watering Aster 'October Skies' properly is key to ensuring healthy growth and an abundance of late-season blooms. During the first growing season, it's essential to keep the soil consistently moist to help establish a strong root system. Water deeply about once or twice a week, depending on rainfall and temperature, to keep the top 1-2 inches of soil damp but not waterlogged. Always water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can help reduce the risk of fungal diseases. As Aster 'October Skies' matures, it becomes more drought-tolerant, but regular watering during extended dry periods will help the plant continue to thrive and produce vibrant flowers. To maintain Aster 'October Skies' and keep it blooming throughout the late summer and fall, mulching is highly recommended. A 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch around the base of the plant helps retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and reduce evaporation. This is especially important in hot, dry weather when the soil can dry out quickly. When watering, it's best to do so in the morning or early evening to allow any excess moisture to evaporate before nighttime, further preventing the risk of mildew. By providing consistent, moderate watering, Aster 'October Skies' will reward you with lush foliage and an impressive display of lavender-blue flowers, attracting pollinators to your garden.
How do I fertilize Aster October Skies?
To fertilize Aster 'October Skies,' begin by applying a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth begins to emerge. A fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 or similar is ideal for promoting healthy root and foliage development while supporting vibrant blooms later in the season. Spread the fertilizer evenly around the base of the plant, avoiding direct contact with the stems to prevent burn. After applying the fertilizer, water the soil thoroughly to help the nutrients reach the root zone and encourage strong, vigorous growth. This early feeding will provide Aster 'October Skies' with the essential nutrients needed to establish itself and produce an abundance of lavender-blue flowers. If Aster 'October Skies' shows signs of nutrient deficiency—such as pale leaves or stunted growth—you can apply a second light feeding in mid-summer to support the plant during its blooming phase. Avoid over-fertilizing, as too much nitrogen can lead to excessive leaf growth at the expense of flower production. For a more organic approach, consider adding compost or well-aged manure around the base of the plant in the spring. This will not only feed the aster but also improve the soil's structure and moisture-retention capacity. By fertilizing correctly and providing Aster 'October Skies' with the right nutrients, you will enjoy a profusion of late-season blooms that attract pollinators and add color to your fall garden.
How do I Prune Aster October Skies?
Pruning Aster 'October Skies' is essential to maintain its shape, encourage dense growth, and promote a vibrant display of blooms in the fall. Begin by lightly pruning in early spring to remove any dead or damaged stems that may have been affected by winter conditions. This will help improve airflow within the plant and ensure new growth has plenty of space to develop. To control the height and create a bushier plant, you can pinch back the growing tips in late spring or early summer when the aster is about 12 inches tall. This technique helps the plant develop a more compact form, resulting in a fuller appearance and more flower buds. After the blooming season, which typically occurs in late summer to early fall, you can perform a final prune to remove spent flowers and tidy up the plant. Deadheading—removing the faded flower heads—not only improves the appearance of Aster 'October Skies' but can also encourage additional blooming. In late fall, after the plant has finished flowering, you can cut back the stems to about 2-4 inches above the ground. This helps prevent disease and prepares the plant for winter dormancy. Pruning consistently throughout the year will keep your Aster 'October Skies' healthy, full, and covered with beautiful lavender-blue blooms that add charm and color to your garden.
