How to Grow Matsumoto Purple Aster

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Matsumoto Purple Aster

Aster novi-belgii 'Matsumoto Purple'

flower

Matsumoto Purple is a dwarf cultivar of the New York aster, prized for its vibrant purple double flowers and compact bushy growth habit. This ornamental perennial produces abundant blooms in fall and is excellent for borders, containers, and cut arrangements. It's a reliable performer that attracts pollinators and provides late-season garden color.

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Example Matsumoto Purple Aster timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Matsumoto Purple Aster
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
First Matsumoto Purple Aster blooms
Around Jul 16

≈ 90 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Matsumoto Purple Aster dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum; tolerates partial afternoon shade in hot climates

💧

Water: Moderate watering; keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water at base to prevent mildew. Drought-tolerant once established, but performs best with regular moisture during growing season.

📏

Spacing: 12 inches

📅

Days to maturity: 90-120 days to first flower

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Planting depth: Plant transplants at soil level; seeds should be surface-sown or just barely covered, as they require light to germinate

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost Peat moss Perlite or coarse sand for drainage Aged manure

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 4-8; hardy and reliable across most temperate regions

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a

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Growth Stages

Seedling

3-4 weeks

Tiny plants with first true leaves emerging; very delicate and slow-growing at this stage

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright indirect light. Avoid direct sun until hardened off. Thin seedlings to prevent crowding.

Vegetative/Establishment

6-8 weeks

Plant develops multiple stems and bushy foliage; no flowers yet. Leaves are narrow and lance-shaped, green foliage fills out

Pinch back growing tips in early summer to encourage branching and fuller shape. Water regularly. Apply balanced fertilizer every 4 weeks. Ensure good air circulation.

Budding

2-3 weeks

Flower buds begin forming at stem tips; buds are visible but still tight and closed

Switch to phosphorus-rich fertilizer to support flowering. Maintain consistent moisture. Continue to remove any diseased or crowded foliage. Stake if needed to prevent flopping.

Flowering

4-8 weeks (peak fall blooms September-November)

Abundant double purple flowers open, creating a dense mound of blooms. Flowers are typically 1-1.5 inches across with multiple petals

Deadhead spent flowers regularly to extend blooming period. Keep soil moist. Support plants with stakes or cages if needed. Watch for powdery mildew and improve air circulation.

Senescence/Dormancy

3-4 months (November-March in most zones)

Blooms fade after first frost; foliage dies back to ground level in fall/winter

Allow plants to dry back naturally. Cut back dead stems in late fall or early spring. Mulch around base in cold zones for winter protection. Division can be done in early spring.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Russian Sage Sedum Coreopsis Black-eyed Susan Ornamental grasses Lavender Phlox Goldenrod Mums

Avoid planting near:

Plants requiring afternoon shade Plants sensitive to powdery mildew Plants that prefer very dry conditions

Common Pests

Improve air circulation by spacing plants adequately and pruning lower foliage. Water at base, not overhead. Spray with sulfur or neem oil if severe. Avoid overhead watering, especially in evening.
Spray with strong water stream to dislodge. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings.
Increase humidity by misting foliage. Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Remove heavily infested leaves. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen.
and
Remove by hand at dawn or dusk. Create barriers with diatomaceous earth or copper tape. Set beer traps. Encourage ground beetles.
No cure; remove and destroy infected plants. Control leafhopper populations with insecticidal soap. Plant resistant varieties if available.

Uses

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Edible flowers

Culinary

While asters are not traditionally culinary, the petals are edible and can be used as a garnish for salads and desserts, adding a subtle bitter or slightly peppery note and visual appeal. [source]

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Cut flowers and arrangements

Craft

Matsumoto Purple is excellent for fresh arrangements, with long-lasting purple blooms ideal for fall bouquets, floral design, and dried arrangements. The double flowers provide fullness and texture. [source]

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Pollinator support

Wildlife

Asters are vital late-season nectar sources for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators preparing for winter. The abundant flowers attract diverse insect species during fall migration. [source]

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Traditional herbal uses

Medicinal

Asters have been used in traditional herbalism to support respiratory health and reduce inflammation, though scientific evidence is limited. Historically used by Native Americans and in Traditional Chinese Medicine. [source]

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Fall garden design

Household

The compact, mounding habit and vibrant purple color make Matsumoto Purple ideal for filling gaps in perennial borders, edging pathways, and providing consistent color when many other plants are fading. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Cut flowers in early morning when stems are turgid for longest vase life (8-12 days). Use sharp scissors and cut stems at a 45-degree angle. Remove lower leaves that would sit in water. For deadheading to extend blooming, pinch off spent flowers above a leaf node. Plants self-seed readily; allow some flowers to go to seed for next year's volunteers or collect seed heads in late fall.

Fun Facts

🌱 The name 'Matsumoto' honors the Japanese aster breeder who developed this superior cultivar, reflecting its status as a modern horticultural achievement.
🌱 Asters are among the last flowers to bloom before winter, earning them the nickname 'the poet's flower' in Victorian floral symbolism, representing patience and grace.
🌱 Matsumoto Purple produces double flowers (multiple layers of petals) through selective breeding; single-flowered asters are more common in wild species.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Deadhead Full Sun Mulch Perennial pH Pinch Back True Leaves

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