Tartarian Aster is a commanding late-season perennial that reaches 3 to 6 feet tall, transforming garden spaces with abundant lavender-to-blue flowers in September when most bloomers are fading. Native to Tartary (a historical region spanning central Asia), this species earns its place in zones 3 through 9 with distinctive paddle-shaped lower leaves reaching up to 24 inches long and flowers gathered in flat-topped clusters that attract butterflies through the first frost. It thrives in full sun with moderate water and moderate maintenance, rewarding gardeners with a substantial vertical presence that seldom requires staking.
24
Full Sun
Moderate
3-9
72in H x 36in W
—
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
In September, when the garden is waning, Tartarian Aster surges with small but prolific flowers that stay fresh right through the first hard frost. The plant's architecture is dramatic: lower leaves stretch to an impressive 24 inches long, creating bold foliage even before the lavender-blue blooms appear in tight clusters with cheerful yellow centers. Butterflies flock to the flowers while the plant spreads by underground rhizomes, eventually claiming more territory if left undivided. Its vigor and late-season timing fill a real gap in perennial borders.
Tartarian Aster serves as a late-season nectar source for butterfly gardens and pollinator habitats, blooming when few other plants offer sustenance in fall. Its tall, sturdy stems and showy flower clusters make it valuable for cutting arrangements in autumn, bringing fresh color indoors as the season turns cold. The plant works well in the back of mixed borders, where its height and spread create structure and visual interest through September and beyond.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Cut back the entire plant in early spring (before new growth emerges) to tidy the clump and encourage fresh, compact growth. In midsummer, if the plant begins to look lanky or is developing an ungainly shape, you can cut it back by one-third to encourage bushier branching before bloom time. Deadheading spent flower clusters will extend bloom, though many gardeners allow flowers to persist for late-season pollinator interest and eventual seed setting.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.