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Golden aster

Heterotheca sessiliflora

perennial herb View on Calscape

Care

Sun

full sun, part shade

Water

low

Soil

Fast, Medium; Usually found in sand but tolerates garden soil.

Size

2–4ft tall

Bloom

Jan-Dec

Deer

Resistant

Container

Friendly

Flowers

Prized

Native Range

Coastal bluffs and scrub from Sonoma County to San Luis Obispo County, below 1000 ft elevation.

Care Guide

Planting

Plant your golden aster in full sun with fast-draining or medium soil - it naturally grows in sandy conditions but adapts well to garden soil, so don't overthink amendments. Space plants according to their mature size (2–4 feet tall depending on subspecies), and aim to plant in fall or early spring when Bay Area soil moisture is naturally higher. This California native tolerates both low and moderate water once established, so choose a spot where you won't be tempted to overwater it.

After Planting

Water weekly through your first summer to help roots establish, then taper off as the plant enters its second year - golden aster's low-water tolerance means overwatering is the #1 way to kill it. Expect year-round blooms (January through December), which is this plant's main selling point, and don't be alarmed if it looks scraggly or variable in appearance, as that's natural for the species. Pruning specifics aren't documented in available data, so observe your plant's growth habit and prune lightly if needed to maintain shape, but this tough native generally requires minimal fussing once established.

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