prairie aster

Prairie aster (Solidago ptarmicoides) should be watered once or twice a week, depending on the season and other environmental factors. During spring and summer months, when temperatures and sunlight are at their highest, prairie asters should be watered every other day. It's best to water them early in the morning or late in the evening so the water is not lost to evaporation or heat. During the cooler months of fall and winter, prairie asters may only need to be watered once every week and a half to 2 weeks. Additionally, it is important to water these plants deeply at each watering so they can reach down and absorb the moisture. Light, frequent watering can encourage root rot, so make sure to really saturate the soil when you water.

Prairie aster requires full sun to perform optimally and typically needs at least 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. This sunlight needs to be evenly distributed and not in direct intense bursts. Planting them in a well-lit location, such as an east-facing spot, can get them the light they need without overheating. If available, plants will also do well in west-facing spots as long as their afternoon hours of light are not too lengthy or hot. If you can’t provide 8 full hours of sunlight, it's still okay to plant a prairie aster, but it will likely perform better if it can get closer to 10-12 hours of daily sun.

Prairie aster (Solidago ptarmicoides) should be pruned in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. The best practice is to prune only dead, damaged, or diseased stems. Pruning should be minimal and shouldn’t cut into green stems. Stems should be cut back to the ground, reducing height and spread by about 1 third. If the plant is taking up too much space, it can be trimmed down even further. This will encourage bushier growth with more flowers. In addition to pruning, Deadheading (removing spent flower stalks) is beneficial in promoting re-bloom. Deadheading should be done throughout the summer and into fall to keep the plant looking tidy and promote more blooms.