Provide full to part sun (4+hrs/day).

This native was collected from the Flint Hills region of the Kansas prairie. Soil type is clay to loamy clay. This plant should do well in similar soil and can tolerate rocky areas as well.

Native to hardiness zone 6b (-5 to 0 °F).

Asters of all kinds can tolerate droughty conditions once established. During the plant’s first 1-2 years, water deeply when the top 2-4 inches of soil is dry..

Asters do not need extensive nutrient support. If you know that your soil is poor, consider adding a small amount of compost at planting, working it evenly into the surrounding top 6-8” of soil.

If you know that your soil has acidic leanings, consider amending with lime. (Most Kansas soils don’t have this issue.)

As a perennial, gray golden aster is best established after soil has warmed in May/June or 4-6 weeks before our first frost in the fall.

Summer (June-September)

Gray golden aster is perennial and spreads in a clumping habit. It will colonize an area if allowed by volunteer seeding.

Gray golden aster can be found in the rockiest of areas in the prairie. It’s roots may be shallow, but this is one tough cookie!