Canada Aster

For established Canada Aster plants, water them thoroughly once a week during dry spells. When it's raining regularly during the growing season, reduce the frequency of your waterings, giving the soil a chance to dry slightly between applications. If the soil is allowed to dry out completely, the plant's leaves will start to droop and look wilted. Deep and infrequent irrigation is the best way to keep the Canada Aster properly hydrated. In general, water your Canada Asters in the morning, around 9:00am, to help them start their day off with plenty of moisture. This will also give enough time for the leaves to dry before nightfall, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.

Canadian Asters love both sun and shade, but tend to flourish better in full sun locations. When grown in full sun, these plants will have more colorful flowers and may become more tolerant of dry conditions. For best results, place Canadian Asters in a spot that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Early morning or late afternoon sun is best to avoid any damage caused by intense midday sun.

Canada Aster should be pruned in late winter or early spring. The first year, prune the plant to about 1 third its overall size. This will help to encourage branching and create a fuller, bushy plant. In subsequent years, you can shape and thin the plant to maintain its form and function. Remove dead, weak, or crossed branches. Cut back the stems of older flowers to encourage more blooms. You can also remove spent blooms throughout the summer for additional flowering.