Excellent pics, Paula!

Yes, I grow Mums & Asters. The Asters overwinter very well, w/o any protection. But my Mums need to be covered after the ground freezes, or some of them will perish over the winter.

I'll try to shoot some photos this weekend.

Thanks for sharing!

Julie

My luck with mums got much better when I realized they don't like wet feet during the dormant season or they get root rot. In well drained ground, they are dependable with no extra precautions here in Waukesha. Boltonias are also nice this time of year. They are similar to calico asters in appearance.

I love asters and always make spots for them in the garden beds. Two of my favorites are October Skies and Purple Dome. With all the 'hot' colors of fall it is nice to have some lavenders and blues. The only mum that I have had any luck with in my clay is Clara Curtis.
Linda

"Spicy Cheryl" Mum

Alma Potschke aster

None of the rest are mine have bloomed yet. The spicy cheryl started blooming over a month ago, and my Alma just opened this past week. I have had really good luck with both mums and asters.
Jen

Aster frikartii 'Moench' or 'Monch' is one of my favorites. Starts blooming in mid-July and it's still blooming great. Not my picture, but you get the idea.

Here is a link that might be useful:

Jen,

What lovely photos! Nice close up of the bee too.
I also grow Alma Potschke, and it's blooming like crazy right now.

Tsj,
I love Aster Monch too, but mine only lasted a few years before dying out completely last year.

I still need to get some pics posted, but it's been so very windy lately, not good for picture taking!

Julie

Here's a spoon Mum, 'Golden Star'.

Julie

luvtosharedivs- I think this is my fourth year with Aster f. 'Moench' and it is doing fine. It does get buried in snow every winter because it's right next to my driveway. Maybe that helps protect it.

tj

Tj,

I bet you're right about the snow cover.

My three 'Monch' Asters were originally growing near Silver Maples, and got smaller each year. I finally moved the last surviving one to a more open area in full sun, but it too died out, probably because I didn't keep it watered enough during its first transplanted year.

Julie