Growing Asters in the City

There’s something sweetly magical about discovering a flower that feels like it chose you. 

This week, it was a cluster of soft purple asters blooming gently under the Bucida spinosa tree — delicate, cheerful, and surprisingly resilient. They looked like tiny stars sprinkled across green stems, catching the morning light just right. And of course, I had to learn how to grow them properly.

If you’re dreaming of adding a pop of romantic purple to your little city garden, here’s everything I’ve learned.

What I Love About Asters

Asters (often called Michaelmas daisies) are classic cottage-garden flowers with daisy-like petals and sunny centers. They’re charming without trying too hard. Not dramatic. Not fussy. Just effortlessly pretty.

They bring:

• Soft color to small garden spaces

• Pollinators like bees and butterflies

• That “English garden in the city” vibe

• Full morning sun

• Well-draining soil

• Consistent but not excessive watering

• Mixed garden soil with compost for better drainage

• Watered deeply 2–3 times a week

• Pinched the stems early so they grow bushier

• Removed faded blooms to encourage more flowers

Exactly the energy I want around at home.

Where They Thrive

In our tropical Philippine weather, asters love balance:

Too much water? They sulk.

Too much shade? They stretch and flop.

They’re happiest when things feel balanced — kind of like us.

How I’m Growing Mine

Here’s my simple city-garden method:

It’s low maintenance but rewarding — the best kind of relationship.

A Little Secret for Fuller Blooms

If you gently pinch back the stems when they’re still young, they grow thicker and fuller. More branches = more flowers.

Think of it as encouraging them to glow up.

Why They Feel So Special

Asters bloom when many other flowers start fading. They show up late, but beautifully.

There’s something poetic about that.

They remind me that not everything blooms at the same time — and that’s perfectly okay.

If you’ve been thinking of adding something romantic but resilient to your garden, consider asters. You can buy them in a pot in your local plant garden. They’re proof that even in the middle of city life, softness and romance can thrive.

With love and petals,

🌸✨

Cristy in the City