Type of Weed: Broadleaf
Boltonia Asteroids
Wild Aster
Wild Aster is a fast-spreading perennial broadleaf weed that appears in late summer through the fall across the United States. This weed goes by several names, some including, False Aster, Fall Aster, or Aromatic Aster.
Wild Aster prefers moist soil and sunny spots in lawns, but once established, can survive in a multitude of conditions. Many Texans love this plant for its flowers during the fall season.
However, this plant easily spreads and has the ability to self-sow, allowing it to easily disrupt weak patches in surrounding lawns.
How to Identify
Wild Aster has creeping rhizomes, spreads by stolons, and can grow up to three feet tall if left unattended. Its green stems are slender and woody and can be both hairy or smooth. Its alternate leaves are lance-shaped, toothless, smooth, and blue-green in color.
They can get up to six inches long, are larger at the bottom and become smaller as they ascend up the stem. Wild aster produces small daisy like flowers that are white, pink, or purple with a domed centered yellow disk.
These flowers bloom in late august and continue through the fall. As the flower begins to die, it transitions to a fluffy, sticky seed head.
They can get up to six inches long, are larger at the bottom and become smaller as they ascend up the stem. Wild aster produces small daisy like flowers that are white, pink, or purple with a domed centered yellow disk.
These flowers bloom in late august and continue through the fall. As the flower begins to die, it transitions to a fluffy, sticky seed head.
Control Methods
Control Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Wild aster is an easier weed to control in your lawn. Start by hand pulling or digging it up, either prior to the flowers blooming or after the plant has died off in late fall.
Doing so can help ensure you do not spread the plants sticky seed head, enabling it easy access to resow in surrounding areas of your lawn. This mechanical control is easiest when the soil is moist.
If the weed has vigorously spread, using a selective broadleaf post-emergent herbicide during the growing season can help keep it at bay.
Wild aster is an easier weed to control in your lawn. Start by hand pulling or digging it up, either prior to the flowers blooming or after the plant has died off in late fall.
Doing so can help ensure you do not spread the plants sticky seed head, enabling it easy access to resow in surrounding areas of your lawn. This mechanical control is easiest when the soil is moist.
If the weed has vigorously spread, using a selective broadleaf post-emergent herbicide during the growing season can help keep it at bay.
Prevention Tips
Like most weeds, wild aster will seek thin, moist areas of your lawn. To prevent it from taking root or spreading, ensure your lawn is dense and healthy.
This is achieved by mowing your grass at its proper height, proper irrigation, aeration, and fertilization. Using a selective pre-emergent herbicide after the last frost can also aid your lawn in preventing wild aster.
If wild aster becomes an issue in your lawn, our team of expert lawn care technicians are ready and equipped to help you combat this weed.
This is achieved by mowing your grass at its proper height, proper irrigation, aeration, and fertilization. Using a selective pre-emergent herbicide after the last frost can also aid your lawn in preventing wild aster.
If wild aster becomes an issue in your lawn, our team of expert lawn care technicians are ready and equipped to help you combat this weed.
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