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Tansy aster wildflower seed
Aster, Tansy flower close-up with purple petals and yellow center. Purple Aster flower with yellow center and water droplets, close-up.

Aster, Tansy – Machaeranthera bigelovii

$3.09

This extremely drought-tolerant perennial thrives in full sun to partial shade. Also known as Bigelow’s Aster, Colorado Aster or Sticky Aster, this western native produces stunning violet blooms in late summer and fall. Especially striking when planted in bunches, creating bold splashes of seasonal color throughout the landscape.

 

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Description

Tansy Aster is one of those native wildflowers that seems to shine brightest when summer begins to wane. From midsummer through fall, this southwestern beauty covers itself in cheerful lavender-to-violet blooms with glowing golden centers, creating a dazzling display against its finely textured gray-green foliage. The flowers appear in abundance, transforming dry landscapes into vibrant ribbons of color and providing a welcome source of nectar when many other wildflowers have finished their show.

Native to the grasslands, foothills, mesas, and open woodlands of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Texas, and northern Mexico, Tansy Aster is perfectly adapted to life in the sun. It thrives in well-drained sandy, rocky, gravelly, or clay soils and asks for little once established. Its exceptional drought tolerance and ability to flourish in poor soils make it a natural choice for water-wise gardens, native landscapes, and challenging sites where other flowers struggle.

Growing 1 to 3 feet tall, Tansy Aster brings both beauty and ecological value to the garden. Its nectar-rich blossoms are a magnet for native bees, honeybees, butterflies, skippers, and other beneficial insects, filling the landscape with the gentle hum of pollinators throughout the blooming season. Whether planted in wildflower meadows, xeriscapes, prairie plantings, pollinator gardens, or restoration projects, this easy-care native provides months of color and habitat. Pair it with native grasses and other drought-tolerant wildflowers to create a landscape that feels both wild and wonderfully alive.

 

Quick Specs:

Origin: Native

Type: Perennial

Color: Purple

Height: 18-30 inches

Width/spread: 12-24 inches

Sunlight: Full sun, partial shade

Water: Very low/low

Bloom Season: Mid-late summer, early fall

Planting Time: Spring or fall

Zones: 5b-7b

Regions: Southwestern & Intermountain West

Use: Borders, meadows & cottage gardens, native and restoration plantings

Attracts: Birds, butterflies, bees, and other invertebrates

Best Planting Season:

Most wildflowers are best planted from late fall through early spring, allowing seeds to germinate in their natural seasonal cycle.

Easy Planting Instructions:

  1. Prepare the soil: Remove weeds and grasses, then loosen the top layer of soil for better seed-to-soil contact.
  2. Spread the seeds evenly: Scatter the seeds over the entire area. Aim for even coverage and 3-6 inches of space between seeds.
  3. Cover lightly: Rake gently to settle the seed into the soil. Cover with approximately a 1/8 inch of soil, then press the soil down with your hands or a wide board. Use only a thin layer of mulch to hold moisture.
  4. Water regularly: Gently soak the area and maintain consistent moisture from seeding through early growth. If irrigation is not practical, aim to plant when natural moisture is most reliable.
  5. Maintenance: Early seedlings can look like weeds. Wait until plants are recognizable or blooms appear before pulling weeds.

Special Treatment:

None

Growth Requirements:

Moisture must be present for germination.

Wildflower seeds often need light to germinate, so do not bury the seeds deeply.

Thrives in full sun and well-drained soils, including sandy, gravelly, rocky, and clay soils.

Seeding Rate:

1 oz. covers 300 sq ft.

 

Mix Contents:

Single Species, Tansy Aster (Machaeranthera bigelovii) is filled with lavender colored blooms in the late summer and fall. 

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