Bushy aster and Japanese aster are often considered for the same spot in the garden (flowers, pollinator friendly, ground cover). The data below shows where they differ: size, hardiness, care, toxicity and price.
Aster dumosus 40 cm × 50 cm after 10 years
A low, dense, cushion-forming perennial that is smothered in purple, pink, blue or white yellow-centred daisies from late summer to mid-autumn, when…
Aster ageratoides 70 cm × 60 cm after 10 years
A very tough, late-flowering aster: from late summer until the frosts it is covered in a haze of pale lilac, white or pinkish flowers, in sun or…
Japanese aster grows faster than Bushy aster.
Bushy aster is hardier: down to -34 °C, against -23 °C for Japanese aster.
Japanese aster needs less care than Bushy aster.
|
Feature
|
Bushy aster
|
Japanese aster
|
|---|---|---|
| Group | Perennial | Perennial |
| Size after 10 years | 40 cm × 50 cm | 70 cm × 60 cm |
| Ultimate size | 20–60 cm × 30–75 cm | 0.4–1 m × 30–60 cm |
| Growth rate | Medium | Fast |
| Light | Full sun, Part shade | Full sun, Part shade |
| Soil | Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous | Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous |
| Hardiness | down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7) | down to -23 °C (USDA 6, RHS H7) |
| Foliage | Deciduous | Deciduous |
| Flowering | August–October, purple, pink, blue, white | August–November, purple, white, pink |
| Water need | Medium | Medium |
| Drought tolerance | Medium | Medium |
| Maintenance | Medium | Low |
| Planting distance | 30 cm | 40 cm |
| For dogs | no data | Non-toxic (uncertain) |
| For cats | no data | Non-toxic (uncertain) |
| For children | Non-toxic | Non-toxic |
| Typical price | approx. €4.70 | approx. €5.50 |
Prices are rounded, indicative values. Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor. Data updated: October 13, 2026
Besides the cookies the site needs to work, we would like to use analytics and advertising cookies (Google, Facebook), if you allow it. Details