Description I’ve been growing Tatarian aster (Aster tataricus) in my Pennsylvania garden for decades, and it flowers so late in the season (through October) that it often doesn’t have time to set viable seeds before freezing weather arrives. For the last few years, though, I’ve been able to find a few actual seeds among all of the duds. I’d say maybe just 2 or 3 percent of the seeds I collect are viable, and it takes a lot of time to pick the good ones out of all the fluff, so I have to charge more than I’d like for them. And honestly, you’d get much faster results by purchasing a plant or getting a piece from a friend’s patch. But if that’s not an option for you, or if you’re interested in experimenting with the seeds, these may be of interest to you. If you don’t already know Tatarian aster, it’s a beauty for the autumn garden, with clusters of relatively large, purple, daisy-form flowers in mid- to late fall atop stems that can reach 4 to 6 feet tall. The initial clump will spread outward in any direction it can and is vigorous enough to crowd out most perennial companions, so I don’t recommend it for an ordinary perennial border. It can combine well with deciduous shrubs and with large ornamental grasses, though, such as switch grasses (Panicum). Or, consider giving it a place by itself where it can spread to form a large patch and create an autumn spectacle. It seems to be a favorite with butterflies, by the way. My plants are always visited by dozens of monarchs a day as the adult butterflies migrate through this area in mid fall. Collected in mid November 2024. At least 10 seeds. Very limited quantity. Shipping to U.S. addresses only. Please read the germination information as well before ordering.
