Flora's Delight Fall Aster

Flora's Delight is a compact, bushy hybrid aster with branching stems of lavender-blue, yellow-centered daisies. Its long flowering period can begin in midsummer and continue into fall, bringing color to a sunny border, container, or cutting garden. The [Royal Horticultural Society](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/231632/aster-floras-delight/details) describes dense growth to about 50 centimeters and recommends a sunny position in well-drained soil; [Perennials.com](https://www.perennials.com/plants/aster-frikartii-floras-delight.html) gives a 12–18 inch height and 18–23 inch spread and confirms the long season, cut-flower value, and butterfly interest. ### Siting Use an open site with good drainage, especially where winter soil stays wet. The cultivar's lilac-blue flowers and loose mound work well with ornamental grasses and later-blooming perennials. Nursery and botanical sources use both *Aster frikartii* and the hybrid form *Aster × frikartii*. The [Perennials.com profile](https://www.perennials.com/plants/aster-frikartii-floras-delight.html) lists this exact selection under *Aster × frikartii*. ### Growing notes This selection is relatively compact and generally does not need staking. Keep reasonable space around it for airflow. Plants can be divided in spring, and basal cuttings are another propagation option. ## Maintenance Water during establishment and extended dry spells, while letting the soil drain between watering. Cut the old stems back in late autumn after flowering, as advised by the RHS, or leave them until spring where winter structure is useful. Divide congested clumps in spring.