Tips On Cutting Back Aster Herbaceous Perennials

Purple flowers in the fall are one of the best things about Aster herbaceous perennials and they are a great late season food source for honey bees. But after a long winter, you'll want to start cutting back the dead stems in the spring.

• Leave the tops on until spring. This will maximize the amount of time bees have to finish their harvest in the fall, as they are wildly attrracted to Asters.
• I prefer to leave a few inches of the old stems, but you can cut them all the way to the ground if you prefer.
• Both a pruners and hedge shears will work well for this chore.
• There are short (12") and tall (3') varieties available at garden centers.

Below is a short video showing the process:

Make sure you check out A.M. Leonard for all your horticulture tools and supplies. They're my go-to supplier! They've been in business since 1885 and have excellent quality and selection.

Use promo code GARDENHIKE10 at checkout to receive 10% off any order. 

When you purchase through links on this site, we may earn a small commission at no additional charge to you. 

Thanks for stopping by Garden Hike!

Kevin