Asters are an excellent choice for attracting late-season pollinators such as butterflies and bees, as they bloom in late autumn when fewer flowers are available. They serve as a host plant for butterfly caterpillars and a beneficial insect hot spot, providing nesting sites for native bees. Asters also add beautiful color and delicate texture to the fall perennial bed. They are adaptable to most soil types but thrive in well-drained soil. To keep them cool and moist, mulch the soil around the plants. Divide them every two to three years and trim by up to half in June to promote dense regrowth that will resist opening up at the centers. It spreads slowly to become a helpful groundcover and mixes well with grasses, chrysanthemums, and the golden fall foliage of Amsonia.