Many of these selections are back in this country now, along with many other species and recent selections by American growers. These generally range in bloom time from early September to late October, with a particular species or cultivar usually blooming for a couple weeks. Hence, the New York asters generally do better in the front of a border and New England ones in back. Both come in a range of colors from red to purple, bluish to white. The main destructive insect pest in our area seems to be the lacebug, a small grayish insect that appears in midsummer and sucks the plant juices from the undersides of leaves, primarily of the New York and related types.
Leaves turn yellowish and eventually brown and fall off.
Organic or synthetic insect sprays can be used for control. Be sure to check the label to make sure the product you select is intended for control of this particular pest. The main plant diseases seem to be powdery mildew a whitish growth on leaves from late June, mainly on the New York varieties, and rust rust-colored spots on leaves in late summer, mainly on the New England ones. Sulfur sprays can be used for rusts. Sprays must be applied before diseases become established and must be continued throughout the season.