Summer asters are suitable both for outdoor cultivation, for example in beds in rock gardens or perennial gardens, and for container culture, for example on the balcony. They can't survive the winter - but why?
Are summer asters hardy?
Summer asters are not hardy because they are annual plants that use up all their energy within a year and die after flowering. They do not require winter protection and must be sown or replanted every year.
Summer asters are not hardy
In contrast to the well-known autumn asters, summer asters are not hardy. If you really think about it, summer asters are not even asters. These plants are only closely related to asters. They also call themselves Callistephus chinensis.
An annual plant
The summer aster, which comes from China, uses up all its energy within a year. It grows in spring to bloom in summer and into autumn. It does not create energy reserves. It only produces its seeds. These can be used for propagation next year.
For this reason, summer asters are not perennial plants like autumn asters. They are annual plants. They must be replanted or sown every year.
After flowering, the plant dies
Regardless of how much you have cared for your summer aster, the plant will die irrevocably in autumn. That means:
- no more fertilizer needed
- no pruning needed
- no need for winter protection
- it is torn out of the ground and disposed of
Re-sow after winter
Basically, sowing summer asters is uncomplicated. The germination time is short, as is the effort and the germination rate of the seeds is high. Therefore: If you want to see summer asters in your garden again next year, you should sow them again in spring.
This is important to note:
- do not sow outdoors before mid-May
- prefer to stay at home from March
- Lightly cover seeds with soil and press down
- Keep substrate moderately moist
- Germination temperature 10 to 20 °C
- Germination time: 2 to 4 weeks
- prick later
Tip
Summer asters should not be planted in the same spot every year. Since these plants tend to suffer from aster wilt, an annual change of location is recommended.
