Fall Blooming Pollinator Plant: Alma Potschke Aster

Melinda’s Garden Moments is heard Mon.-Fri. at 7:45 and 10:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. on 97.9 WHAV.

Melinda’s Garden Moments is heard Mon.-Fri. at 7:45 and 10:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. on 97.9 WHAV.

The bright rose pink flowers of Alma Potschke aster are sure to grab your attention. Consider adding this aster to your landscape for a blast of fall color and late season nectar for the butterflies and bees.

Enjoy the late summer and fall blossoms of this zone 3 to 8 hardy aster. Plant Alma Potschke among ornamental grasses for bit of support and a backdrop for the dazzling blooms.  Other tall neighboring plants or stakes will also keep these tall plants looking their best. Or pinch the plants back several times throughout June and early July. This promotes denser more compact growth that will stand on its own.

Divide these plants every few years to keep them looking their best. Regular division increases hardiness and encourages more compact growth.

Like its parent the New England Aster it prefers full sun with moist well-drained soil.

A bit more information:  Plant in prairie, rain or natural gardens or in a planter on the patio or deck. Combine this aster with other fall bloomers like blue mist spirea (Caryopteris), Miscanthus sinensis ‘Variegatus’ and sedum.

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