I'm about to select plants for a flower bed that encircles a recently planted Quercus polymorpha. The bed faces southwest thus gets intense afternoon sun. The bed lies in the middle of a buffalograss lawn in the front yard. It is approximately 8' in diameter. I'm contemplating a mass planting of fall aster for the bed but would like input from those with more experience with the plant.
How has this plant performed for you, especially in central Texas? Longevity? Drought tolerance? How does it look in the heat of the summer? Would you recommend a companion plant given the specifics of this bed?
Any input is appreciated.
arroyophyte
Fall Aster (Symphyotrichium oblongifolium): Need input
I have a couple of those...really easy to grow, doesn't need a lot of watering or the best soil. The only thing that might be a problem is that it's a fall bloomer. Would you need something blooming in spring or summer in that big an area? On occasion it blooms out of season, but you can't count on that. BTW, I love it! Beautiful when blooming!
I agree that it is better to combine the asters with some other bloomers. I have it with wedelia (Orange Zexmenia
Zexmenia hispida) and salvia greggii that both bloom all summer and in similar conditions that you have although I am more north.
Thanks to both of you for your input. Exactly the type of info I needed! I have eight 4" plants that I grew from seed that I'll plant sometime this week, but will try to combine them with some other spring/summer bloomers. Zexmenia and S. greggii just might be the ticket! I have a lot of both of them already but there's a good reason for that! If anyone has other suggestions for good companion plants, I'd love to hear them.
Great suggestions, you might also want to add Heath Aaster, Symphyotrichum ericoides, the white with the purple and red salvia make a great combination.
Here is what mine look like in the fall.
Spectacular combination of colors, frostweed! Thanks!
It looks like there is skullcap in there too which is also solid summer color.