Red Alert Fall Aster

Red Alert is a compact, mounding aster selection grown for a late-season display of crimson, daisy-like flowers over gray-green foliage. Nursery and garden-center sources connect the selection with New England aster, while their taxonomic wording differs; this profile keeps the supported genus and selection without assigning a disputed species. [Arbor Hills](https://arborhilllandscaping.com/plants-shrubs-omaha-nursery/) lists Red Alert among its perennials, and [van der Meer Garden Centre](https://vandermeergardencentre.ca/collections/perennial-special/products/copy-of-aster-nova-purple-dome) sells the exact selection as Aster 'Red Alert'. ## Site and season Give it full sun to part sun in an ordinary sunny border. The nursery listing reports flowering in August and September, while the selection’s seller describes crimson flowers in fall. Its compact stature makes it useful near the front or middle of a perennial border. ## Size and care Published mature dimensions range from about 12–18 inches tall and wide at Arbor Hills to 12 inches tall by 16 inches wide at van der Meer. These are approximate garden sizes; leave room for a rounded mound. Water during establishment and during prolonged dry spells, then remove spent stems after flowering to tidy the plant and prepare the bed for winter. ## Maintenance Cut back dead stems in late winter or early spring as new growth begins.