Climbing Carolina aster (Ampelaster carolinianus) am-pel-ASS-ter kare-oh-lin-ee-AY-nus Synonyms:  Aster carolinianus Genus:  Aster

This perennial vine sends out abundant pale purple to lavender flowers beginning in late October. It grows to 4 to 5 feet tall, and frost does not seem to impede the blooms. It can attract bees and butterflies well into November.

To get the best flower display, give climbing aster as much sun as possible. It should also have something to lean on, like a fence, a trellis, or an ornamental shrub. Don't prune it over the winter, no matter how dead it may look. It’s better to wait to tidy up things after the new growth appears in spring.

Noteworthy Characteristics:  Smells wonderful. Care:  Grow in well-cultivated, fertile, moist soil in sun or partial shade. Propagation:  Most asters require frequent division. Problems:  Asters are sometimes plagued by fungal diseases. The most common are wilt disease, powdery mildew, and botrytis.

Overview

Height 10 ft. to 15 ft. Light Full Sun to Part Shade Moisture Medium Moisture Characteristics Fragrant Flowers, Native, Showy Flowers Bloom Time Fall Flower Color Pink, Purple Uses Beds and Borders, Trellis Style Cottage Garden Seasonal Interest Fall Interest Type Perennials