It looks a little like a climbing daisy, but it's blooming in September. What's going on?
Meet
Aster carolinianus
, which pops out lavender starbursts in fall as it hugs a trellis or sprawls through the garden. It's the only one of some 250 species in the
Aster
genus that likes heights.
While it isn't great for the entire Pacific Northwest, this native of the southeastern U.S. does well in the Willamette Valley and warmer parts of the Columbia Basin.
Like crape myrtle, it wants to be in a warm place. Climbing asters like sun to part shade; fertile, moist soil and consistent summer water.
You can order them from
or from
or check your local nursery.
-- Homes & Gardens staff
If you want to automatically receive a free daily homes and gardens tip, sign up at OregonLive.com's newsletters subscription site.